Bands & artists like Jackie McLean

If you like Jackie McLean, these artists play in similar sounds, ideas, or styles. Use this as a starting point to branch out and find something new to listen to.

Artists to try next

Eric Dolphy

Eric Dolphy

Dolphy's innovative use of improvisation and complex melodic lines create a similar tension and release found in McLean's work.

avant-garde jazz free jazz hard bop
Sonny Rollins

Sonny Rollins

Guide

Rollins' powerful saxophone playing and dynamic improvisational style resonate with the energetic pulse characteristic of McLean's compositions.

jazz post-bop
Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus

Guide

Mingus' compositions often feature complex rhythms and emotional depth, paralleling the intricate melodies and tensions in McLean's work.

avant-garde jazz bebop free jazz
Art Blakey

Art Blakey

Guide

Blakey's hard-bop drumming style and emphasis on collective improvisation align closely with the rhythmic drive found in McLean's music.

bebop jazz
Ornette Coleman

Ornette Coleman

Guide

Coleman's free jazz approach and focus on spontaneous creation echo the improvisational intensity that characterizes McLean's sound.

jazz
Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter

Shorter's innovative compositions and intricate melodic structures provide a similar complexity and depth as seen in McLean's works.

bebop crossover jazz
Pharoah Sanders

Pharoah Sanders

Sanders' spiritually infused saxophone playing and rich textures evoke a similar emotional resonance found in McLean’s performances.

free jazz jazz
David Murray

David Murray

Guide

Murray's robust saxophone sound and fusion of styles reflect the rhythmic urgency and improvisational flair present in McLean’s music.

jazz modern jazz world music

Common questions

Who sounds like Jackie McLean?

Artists similar to Jackie McLean include Eric Dolphy, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus and Art Blakey. Each shares elements of Jackie McLean's sound while bringing their own perspective.

What genre is Jackie McLean?

Jackie McLean is primarily known for jazz. McLean’s music pulses with a rhythmic urgency, intertwining intricate melodies and dynamic improvisation that create tension and release throughout each piece.

Where should I start if I like Jackie McLean?

If you enjoy Jackie McLean, start with Eric Dolphy — their album "Cornell 1964" is a great entry point. Dolphy's innovative use of improvisation and complex melodic lines create a similar tension and release found in McLean's work.