Because this week’s (October 18-22, 2021) five part “Daily Dose of Jazz Singing” essays focus on singers who are alive, and recording/performing currently I’ve created “bonus” content for folks interested in engaging with recordings primarily. Several performers below are alive and still performing (noted by an asterisk).

(Note: Some recordings are not streamable and only available on CD currently).

Jazz-adjacent: Several vocalists normally associated cabaret and crooner pop, many of whom have died, are influenced by jazz in differing degrees and have recorded albums with jazz leanings of interest to jazz listeners. Great pop interpreters like Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr. and Kay Starr are not improvisers but have recorded many albums in a swing-oriented context. 

Jazz Adjacent Crooner Albums:

Fred Astaire: The Astaire Story (1988, Verve)

*Tony Bennett: The Art of Romance (2004, RPM Records/Columbia)

Rosemary Clooney: Sings the Lyrics of Johnny Mercer (1987, Concord Jazz)

Bing Crosby: The Jazzin’ Bing Crosby 1927-1940 (1992, Affinity; CD)

Sammy Davis Jr. (with Sam Butera & the Witnesses): When the Feeling Hits You! (1965, Reprise Records)

Adelaide Hall: A Centenary Celebration (2001, Avid)

Lena Horne: Stormy Weather: The Legendary Lena 1941-1958 (1990, Bluebird; CD)

Lou Rawls: Tobacco Road (1964, Capitol)

Bobby Short: Guess Who’s in Town: Bobby Short Performs the Songs of Andy Razaf (1987, Atlantic Records)

Frank Sinatra: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967, Reprise Records)

Jo Stafford: Jo + Jazz (1960, Columbia/Corinthian)

Kay Starr: Movin’ on Broadway (1960, Capitol Records)

Rock torch: Several vocalists more associated with country, pop, rock, and R &B have recorded highly successful jazz-oriented albums, I call them “rock torch,” that showcase formidable interpretive skills. Here’s a brief list for further listening:

“Rock Torch” albums:

Johnny Adams: Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus: The Real Me (1991, Rounder)

*Patti Austin: Avant Gershwin (2007, Rendezvous Entertainment)

Natalie Cole: Take a Look (1993, Elektra)

Aretha Franklin: Yeah!!! (1965, Columbia) and Soul ’69 (1969, Atlantic Records)

Etta James: Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday (1994, Private Music)

*Chaka Khan: Echoes of an Era (1982, Elektra Records)

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Getting to Know You: Artists ripe for discovery/rediscovery

-There are several legendary living singers in the vocal jazz universe who I did not address in this week’s series. As a result of age, health, and/or changing tastes, many have slowed down their recording and performing schedules. Among these are Ernie Andrews (93), Sheila Jordan (92), Cleo Laine (93), Marilyn Maye (93), Sue Raney (81), and Carol Sloane (84). They have highly distinguished discographies worth listening to and if you get to see them perform, do it!

- Several fine contemporary vocalists still performing at their peaks include vocalist-pianist Dena DeRose; British vocalist Claire Martin; the dashing vocalist and educator Marianne Solivan; avant-garde vocalist and educator Dominque Eade; the skilled vocal groups Tillery (featuring Rebecca Martin, Gretchen Parlato, & Becca Stevens), Duchess (featuring Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, & Melissa Stylianou) and New York Voices (rotating line-up); Brazilian pop specialists both well-established, such as the legendary Ivan Lins, Tania Maria, Milton Nascimento and Flora Purim, and more recent artists, including Sandy Cressman, Ithamara Koorax, and Carol Saboya.

Vocal jazz is a living art and there’s, clearly, no shortage of fine music worth exploring.

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