"Huge cokehead back in the day."
And so? I'm listening to the music, not wondering what drugs the musician is taking.
I'd guess that most of our major jazz musicians have used some illegal drugs. Does that make me appreciate their music any less? Not a chance.
Yup, most jazz musicians used drugs. However, for pure unalterated greatness (amongst jazz trumpeters), there was Clifford Brown. He was "straight edge" before there was even such a term! I could listen to his music for hours (it also helps that we share the same hometown: Wilmington, DE).
I agree with you. And many of the best jazz guys were junkies, especially that 40s-50s generation. Some kicked it (Miles), some didn't (Chet Baker), and some it killed (Bird). Armstrong was a pothead his whole life. But Ferguson's cocaine intake was legendary, even among jazz musicians.
Personally, I'm a Monk guy.