Cool jazz is a type of jazz that is understated and subtle, and integrates elements of classical music. It is sometimes referred to as West Coast jazz or West Coast cool, as it was primarily practiced by musicians in the Los Angeles area; however, its popularity and practice was by no means limited to California. The Claude Thornhill Orchestra and Lennie Tristano first recorded cool jazz in the late 1940s. Thornhill's most popular song "Snowfall" is still played today.

Some other cool jazz artists:

• Dave Brubeck with Paul Desmond
• Modern Jazz Quartet
• Gerry Mulligan
• Miles Davis with Bill Evans
• Lee Konitz
• Chico Hamilton
• George Shearing
• Shelly Manne

Samples

• Boplicity.ogg of "Boplicity" by Miles Davis from Birth of Cool