Duke Ellington is a major, major composer that deserves to be studied alongside the greatest musical figures the west has ever produced.
Personally, I think of Coltrane almost as a figure of intellectual history....really, almost European. Yes, he is in some respects very American. But his whole philosophical orientation, and his music coming to an end...it is very strange, and sort of Hegelian. I think he took things a little too seriously.
Louis Armstrong is one of the most important figures in any of the arts in the 20th century.
(All that said, I am no expert on jazz, or even music...I listen, and try to learn and study, and I like all of it....but I am far from an expert).
You are correct about Louis Armstrong. He is the father of music as we know it. Absolute genius.
When his jowls finally gave out on him, he put down his trumpet and taught the world how to sing. He was amazing.
I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t done a movie about him.