American created music that helped usher in the great rock/blues bands from the UK. I view blues and Jazz connected at the hip...

Miles Davis
Charlie Parker
Dave Brubeck
Bill Evans
Stan Getz
Chet Baker
Thelonious Monk
Robert Johnson
John Lee Hooker
Howlin' Wolf
Muddy Waters
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Taj Mahal

It would also be criminal to leave off some of my other American faves, Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis and his gospel music, the music of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon/Simon and Garfunkel, Beach Boys, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young/Neil Young, Almond Brothers, Santana, Chili Peppers, Steve Miller Band, Smashing Pumpkins, Dion, Mamas & the Papas, Johnny Cash, Grateful Dead, Tommy James, I should stop, I'm getting carried away...