7 Richest Jazz Musicians
Jazz, with its rich and diverse history, isn’t just about soulful tunes and foot-tapping rhythms. It’s also about smart financial plays. Let’s jam our way through this list of wealthy jazz musicians.
1. Herb Alpert
- Net Worth: $850 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: Beyond his classic hits with the Tijuana Brass, Alpert co-founded A&M Records. Oh, and he’s a sculptor and painter on the side. No biggie.
2. Kenny G
- Net Worth: $100 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: Love him or not, Kenny G’s albums sell. Add to that his stake in Starbucks and you see why he’s on this list.
3. Diana Krall
- Net Worth: $20 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: As a jazz pianist and singer, her album sales and global tours, combined with a few savvy investments, keep the cash flowing.
4. Wynton Marsalis
- Net Worth: $10 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: This jazz and classical music maestro, beyond playing the trumpet, heads the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Talk about class!
5. Pat Metheny
- Net Worth: $10 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: Multiple Grammy wins, global tours, and a consistent album release streak make Metheny a significant player in both music and money.
6. George Benson
- Net Worth: $5 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: His smooth jazz and R&B hits, plus constant touring, have made Benson not just a musical but also a financial legend.
7. Esperanza Spalding
- Net Worth: $2 million.
- Cool Cash Cues: This Grammy-winning artist, apart from her albums, teaches, acts, and is pretty much redefining jazz for the new era.
