1 Curtis Fuller, hugely influential for decades. On John Coltrane classic Blue Train, simply consider he contributed significantly to a life changing album.Snap up, too, the Detroiter’s solo records particular from the late-1950s.
2 Slide Hampton Hero to horn players such as saxophonist David Sánchez.
3 Fred Wesley Written into music history via the Godfather of Soul as a pillar of the JBs – still cutting the mustard.
4 Robin Eubanks Pivotal within the Dave Holland sound in the 1990s and beyond. As a leader ideas always swirl and connect.
5 Annie Whitehead Check out Annie’s superb work with Robert Wyatt first off. Excels too drawing on Township.
6 Ku-umba Frank Lacy Erstwhile Mingusian. Ku-umba does cool frontman stuff as a vocalist as well.
7 Steve Turré Magic maker whether on trombone or, even, conch shells – I kid you not.
8 Wycliffe Gordon Crucial listen when he was with Wynton. Already walking tall as a Gulliver in even the most Swiftly dashed off jazz history books.
9 Conrad Herwig His latin-jazz treatment of the Herbie songbook blew me away when it came out. Formidable interpreting Wayne Shorter into the bargain.
10 Jonas Gwangwa South African jazz icon. Amandla.
11 Chris Barber Trad for dads and all the family. ‘Ice cream’ often provided.
12 Trombone Shorty New Orleans trombone reinvented for the Treme generation.
13 Grachan Moncur III Very collectable from his Blue Note days. Later an avant garde lion.
14 Winston Rollins Jools Holland’s preferred trombone player for many years who has also led his own big band at the Proms in an informal battle of the bands contest.
15 Julian Priester Avant by reputation often but can do it all.
16 Dennis Rollins Brother of Winston. Pride of Doncaster. On the road with Maceo.
17 Steve Davis Superb mainstream player.
18 Ryan Keberle Today's finest jazz trombonist innovator.
19 Ray Anderson Joyous jazz club favourite.
20 Nils Wogram Possessor of a dazzling technique that harnesses a mastery of range and form.