Jazz Singers

What distinguishes a jazz singer from any other type of singer is very difficult to quantify and I don't claim to have all the answers, but one thing I do know is that some of the greatest vocalists have come out of, or at the very least been greatly influenced by, the Jazz movement.

Consider: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, all wonderful artists who have stood the test of time, and all borne out of the jazz genre.

I am inclined to agree with the idea that a personal connection with the music is as much to do with a defintion of jazz as it has to do with any technicalities, but an ability to improvise and a natural feel for rhythm and swing are fundamental.

A jazz singer's phrasing is often what makes them distinctive. They have a seemingly innate ability to push and pull the tempo of a song without losing the pulse (or spilling their drink- amazing!).

For instance, Carmen McRae's rendition of "The Man I Love", is a great example of laid-back, spacey precision. So is Mel Torme's, "Too Close for Comfort" but in a much faster, swingier, just-can't-help-but-stamp-your-foot-to-the-rhythm kind of way.

This section of the website is dedicated to some of my favourite singers, past and present. We are building a host of resources, which will be ready for use very soon.

In the meantime, please have a good look around and don't forget that we are constantly updating this site, so do come back and visit us often - enjoy!

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