If you recognize those big bird (or, rather, Big Bird) feet on Google today, it's because your favorite search engine is marking the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street."

That's right, for 40 years--and some 4,000 episodes--the denizens of “Sesame Street" have played a vital role in introducing the children of America to some of the most important things in life.

There's been plenty of reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, to be sure, but Ernie, Bert and all the rest have never shied away from inserting some worthwhile civics and social lessons, all in an effort not just to educate young viewers but empower them to be upstanding citizens. “Sesame Street's" new season gets under way Tuesday, exactly 40 years to the day after the series' premiere.

And, to their credit, the producers have always seen jazz as playing an essential role in the “Sesame Street" curriculum.

A study of the “Street's" 400-plus celebrity guests turns up dozens of jazz notables. Most turned in one-off appearances; others--including Wynton Marsalis and George Benson--all but bought a house on the block. Here's just a few of the jazz stars who have swung through their ABCs on “Sesame Street."