Best Vocal Jazz

Frank Sinatra’s *In the Wee Small Hours* (1955) is a celebrated jazz album notable for its deeply personal vocal performances alongside Nelson Riddle's sophisticated orchestral arrangements. The record offers evocative explorations of loneliness and quiet contemplation, appealing to listeners who ap...

Ella Fitzgerald’s *Sings the Cole Porter Songbook* is a landmark jazz album from 1957. It demonstrates her extraordinary vocal talent through masterful interpretations of Cole Porter's songs. The recording highlights Fitzgerald’s improvisational abilities and sophisticated approach to vocal jazz, ma...

Sarah Vaughan's “With Clifford Brown” is a seminal jazz recording from 1955 featuring the iconic vocalist and brilliant alto saxophonist. The album demonstrates their exceptional musical partnership—Vaughan’s expressive vocals expertly complementing Brown’s intricate solos within a bebop framework....

Ella and Louis features a remarkable collaboration between vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and trumpeter Louis Armstrong. Released in 1956, this classic jazz album highlights their unique musical styles and improvisational skills. It’s notable for its seamless blend of vocal and instrumental performances,...

This 1954 Pacific Jazz album showcases Chet Baker's distinctive cool jazz style. Baker’s quiet trumpet playing and intimate vocal delivery offer a notable example of early West Coast vocal jazz. The record primarily presents ballads by composers including Johnny Mercer and George Shearing, making it...

This 1958 Capitol Records jazz album showcases Frank Sinatra's vocal talent alongside arrangements by Nelson Riddle. It’s notable for its consistently somber tone and Sinatra’s distinctive delivery of classic ballads. The album primarily appeals to listeners interested in traditional vocal jazz, par...

Ella Fitzgerald’s “Mack the Knife: Ella in Berlin” captures a pivotal 1960 live performance in West Berlin. This album is notable for its spontaneous artistry and showcases Fitzgerald's unparalleled scat singing abilities. The recording features her iconic improvisation on the title track, earning t...

Billie Holiday's *Lady in Satin*, released in 1958, is a seminal jazz album marking her final studio work. The collection presents deeply emotive performances of both classic standards and songs written during her declining health. Known for its haunting atmosphere and Holiday’s distinctive vocal ph...

Cécile McLorin Salvant’s “Ghost Song” is a jazz album released in 2023 featuring interpretations of Billie Holiday classics and other vocal standards. The collection highlights Salvant's remarkable vocal abilities and her capacity for profound emotional expression through nuanced arrangements. It’s...

Frank Sinatra's “Come Fly With Me” is a seminal jazz album from 1958. Featuring twenty-two songs largely written by Jimmy Van Heusen and George Shearing, it established Sinatra’s signature vocal style within lush orchestral arrangements. The record remains notable for its influential swing sound and...

Cécile McLorin Salvant’s “For One To Love” is a critically acclaimed jazz album released in 2023. The recording highlights her exceptional vocal talent as she interprets original compositions and classic blues standards. It’s notable for its deeply emotive performances and exploration of themes like...

Cécile McLorin Salvant’s *WomanChild* presents a significant vocal jazz album showcasing the American songbook's female voices. The collection delves into the experiences of women across genres including blues, ragtime, and spirituals. It is particularly notable for Salvant’s nuanced interpretations...

Norah Jones' “Come Away With Me” is a 2002 jazz album notable for its distinctive blend of modern jazz, blues, and pop influences. The collection features Jones’s smooth vocal style and creates an intimate musical atmosphere. It appeals to listeners who enjoy relaxed, soulful music with a strong emp...

Billie Holiday’s *Songs for Distingué Lovers* is a jazz album released in 1957. It presents primarily obscure standards and ballads from the late 1930s and early 1940s offering mature vocal interpretations by Holiday. The collection is notable for its poignant mood and showcases her distinctive styl...

Diana Krall's “When I Look in Your Eyes” is a jazz album released in 1999. It showcases her distinctive vocal style blending modern jazz with classic standards. The collection includes original pieces and reimagined versions, notable for its sophisticated arrangements and smooth delivery. This album...

Diana Krall’s *Love Scenes* is a jazz album released in 1997. It showcases her distinctive vocal style alongside rich orchestral instrumentation. The collection primarily interprets songs by Cole Porter and Noël Coward delivering sophisticated and romantic interpretations. This album appeals to list...

Elis Regina’s “Personalidade” is a significant jazz album from 1982. It demonstrates her exceptional vocal talent and range through interpretations of works by Jobim and de Moraes. The recording highlights her skill within sophisticated arrangements and is appreciated by fans of classic vocal jazz a...

Chet Baker's 1954 album *It Could Happen To Any Of Us* is a seminal work in cool jazz. Baker’s understated trumpet and vulnerable vocals create an atmosphere of quiet melancholy reflecting post-war American life. The album resonates particularly with listeners interested in introspective jazz, vocal...

'Live in Paris' is a jazz album by Canadian vocalist and pianist Diana Krall, released on the Verve label in 2002. The album was recorded at the Paris Jazz Festival and features Krall performing with her ensemble on a selection of jazz standards and contemporary compositions, including 'Let's Fall i...

Diana Krall’s *The Look of Love* is a sophisticated jazz album featuring lush orchestral arrangements and Krall's signature smoky vocals, primarily drawing from classic Hollywood film scores for a romantic and evocative listening experience.

“Dear Ella” is a 1992 studio album featuring vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater interpreting the songs of Billie Holiday, recorded live at Montreux Jazz Festival in 1987 and showcasing Bridgewater’s sophisticated approach to Holiday’s timeless repertoire.

Dianne Reeves’ “Good Night, and Good Luck” is a deeply emotive jazz album featuring her signature vocal style alongside a sophisticated orchestral arrangement, exploring themes of reflection and resilience through classic and original compositions.

Luciana Souza – Neruda is a sophisticated album featuring the Brazilian poet Pablo Neruda’s verses set to lush arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions, exploring themes of love, loss, and nature through Souza's expressive vocals and intricate instrumentation.

Sathima Bea Benjamin’s *A Morning in Paris* presents a deeply introspective and melancholic suite of compositions exploring themes of memory, longing, and urban solitude through her signature muted trumpet soundscapes and evocative vocalizations.

Eleanora Fagan – Dee Dee Bridgewater is a 1994 jazz album featuring Bridgewater’s interpretations of songs from the Billie Holiday biopic *Lady Sings the Blues*, showcasing her vocal prowess and exploring themes of hardship and resilience within Holiday's legacy.

“Sophisticated Ladies” is a 1985 album featuring vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater performing iconic songs by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billy Strayhorn, showcasing her masterful interpretations of classic big band arrangements with a strong emphasis on vocal phrasing and instrumental textures.

“When You Know,” featuring vocalist Dianne Reeves and a stellar ensemble including Roy Hargrove and Christian McBride, is a deeply emotive jazz album released in 2008, showcasing Reeves’ signature soulful delivery across interpretations of classic songs and original compositions.

“Now,” featuring vocalist Dianne Reeves and the Clayton Brothers, is a 2009 jazz album showcasing a sophisticated blend of vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements rooted in classic soul and gospel traditions.

“Turn Up the Quiet,” released in 2007, is a critically acclaimed jazz album featuring Diana Krall’s smooth vocals and sophisticated arrangements of classic standards and original compositions, showcasing her distinctive style within the genre.