A trumpet can be used in various forms of music but the most well-known and famous trumpet players belong to the jazz group. Louis Armstrong for instance. He is one of the renowned trumpet players of the world. The greatest trumpet playing of his early years are to be heard on his Hot Five and Hot Seven records. His improvisations were quite sophisticated for his time and at the same time they were subtle and melodic. His playing is joyous. They were all original melodies. Even today he is listened to by people of all ages. He had many hits to his list, like "Stardust", "What a Wonderful World", "When The Saints Go Marching In", "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "Ain't Misbehavin'", and "Stompin' at the Savoy". Many might not know this but Louis Armstrong knocked "The Beatles" off the top of the Billboard Top 100!

Miles Davis is widely considered as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century whose trumpet playing was distinctive, with a vocal and clear tone. This particularly has been imitated by many. The sense of space in his solos has been the model for later musicians.

Dizzy Gillespie was a trumpet virtuoso. He was also a gifted improviser, building on the virtuoso style of Roy Eldridge. He added layers of harmonic complexity to his creations which was previously unknown in jazz. He had an enormous impact on virtually every subsequent trumpeter by the example of his playing.

The next notable name is Maynard Ferguson. He became famous as he was able to play accurately in a remarkably high register. Even though he was not the first trumpeter to play on a high register he had the remarkable ability to play high notes with full, rich tone, power, and musicality. He was a big inspiration for future generation of trumpet players. Often times it was thought that his exceptional playing was possible owing his facial muscles which must work quite exceptionally. But he himself had always stated that his command of the upper registers was based mostly on breath control.

Clifford Brown who left behind him only four years of recording is considered one of the greatest trumpet players ever! Then comes the name of Lee Morgan. Clark Terry got his start in St. Louis. He had led his own big band and a number of small groups. Joe Oliver was particularly known for his playing style and the pioneering of "mutes". He was also a notable composer at the time.

Kenny Dorham was one of the most active bebop trumpeters. During 1970-1974 Friddie Hubbard was the biggest star. Chet Baker had great popularity due both to his cool style inspired by Miles Davis and his James Dean-like looks. He was specialized in relaxed, even melancholy music. Baker rose to prominence as a leading name in cool jazz in the 1950s.

Roy Eldridge's sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie mark him out as one of the most exciting musicians of his time. He was also a recursor of bebop.