Vocalists — Recently Added
Singers we love -- from vintage torch to vocalese, scat, jazz poetry, standards, and more!
CDs (506) new/used, Vinyl (668) new/used, LPs (655) new/used, 12-inch (1 new), 7-inch (12) new/used, All (1174)
Double Six
Double Six Of Paris Sing Ray CharlesPhilips, Early 60s. Near Mint-
One of the great records made by the cool French jazzy vocal group that included Ward Swingle and Christine LeGrand, and which did stuff that was much more straightforwardly jazzy than the semi-classical work of the Swingle Singers. This LP's got them backed by Jerome Richardson and his quartet, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Anita Kerr
Reflect On The Hits Of Bacharach & DavidDot, Late 60s. Near Mint-
Although the Anita Kerr singers were not often the swinginest group in town, this LP has them doing a nice selection of Bacharach material, including "What's New Pussycat?", "Are You There (with Another Girl)", and "Windows of the World". LP, Vinyl record album
Oscar Brown Jr.
Mr Oscar Brown Jr Goes To WashingtonFontana, Late 60s. Very Good
One of Oscar Brown's great ones, recorded live at the Cellar Door in Washington before an enthusiastic crowd of hipsters! The record's a beautiful mix of soul, jazz, and folk – in the same Chicago tradition that spawned Terry Callier (although Brown's style has a bit more of a "show" ... LP, Vinyl record album
Carnival
CarnivalLiberty, 1969. Very Good
Like Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66? Then you'll love The Carnival! The group was formed by three former members of Sergio's group, working in 1969 with stellar LA pop production from the mighty Bones Howe – all grooving in a style that's got all the best traces of the Brasil 66 sound! The ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leon Thomas
Facets/Flying Dutchman, 1973. Near Mint- Gatefold
A tasty compilation of Leon Thomas' work for the Flying Dutchman label – work that's clearly his best over the years, and which retains the original style of spiritual soul jazz that he pioneered with Pharoah Sanders. The groove here runs from open-ended soul jazz to some tighter numbers ... LP, Vinyl record album
Hi-Lo's
Harmony in JazzEncore, Late 50s. Near Mint-
Budget pressing of some of their great early swingin' vocal jazz sides from the 50's. Tracks include things like "Fascinatin' Rhythm", "Goody, Goody", and "Some Minor Changes", which are among some of their best tracks, and some of the best ever white vocal group ... LP, Vinyl record album
Mark Murphy
Swingin Singin Affair (blue cover)Fontana, 1965. Very Good+
A rare British session from vocalist Mark Murphy – and one of his grooviest albums of the 60s! Mark's working here with great backings from the orchestras of Tubby Hayes, John Dankworth, and Les Reed – all of whom give Murphy some of his hippest grooves to date, very much in the mode ... LP, Vinyl record album
Chris Connor
This Is ChrisBethlehem, Mid 50s. Very Good
Beautifully icy vocals from the amazing Chris Connor – the kind of record that set a new standard for vocal jazz back in the 50s! The session's a small group one – with Chris singing intimately alongside backing from Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Kai Winding and JJ Johnson on ... LP, Vinyl record album
King Pleasure
Golden DaysHi Fi, Early 60s. Very Good-
Beautiful beautiful record, and still one of the greatest jazz vocal albums ever made. The great King Pleasure sings in a raspy vocalese style similar to Jon Hendricks or Eddie Jefferson, but with a sense of warmth and delivery that the two of them never seem to reach. The set list here features ... LP, Vinyl record album
Nina Simone
Sings The BluesRCA, 1967. Near Mint-
Nina's not just singing the blues here – she's completely reinventing the sound of the format – by drawing on a long tradition of vocal expression, and infusing it with the hipper, more personally exploratory mode she forged in the 60s! The album's got a subtle brilliance that means ... LP, Vinyl record album
Jackie & Roy
Sing Baby SingStoryville, Mid 50s. Very Good
One of the greatest albums ever cut by Jackie and Roy! This one captures them in the early days – right after they'd left Charlie Ventura, and were beginning to sing and pen some fantastic little jazz ditties on their own. The album features the recorded debut of Tommy Wolf, who would ... LP, Vinyl record album
Lorez Alexandria
Early in the MorningArgo, 1960. Very Good-
An excellent early album by one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time! The session's a very hip affair – recorded with the Ramsey Lewis Trio backing her up on one side, and a group led by Frank Foster on another – both playing in a tight soul jazz mode that works perfectly for ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leon Thomas
Spirits Known & UnknownFlying Dutchman, 1969. Very Good Gatefold
Wonderful work from Leon Thomas – easily one of his greatest albums ever, and a set that was recorded at the same time he was working with Pharoah Sanders! Thomas really rose to fame on Sanders' classic "The Creator Has A Master Plan" – and this set really takes off from that ... LP, Vinyl record album
Mark Murphy
Stolen MomentsMuse, 1978. Very Good+
One of his best for Muse, with a beautiful set of jazzy vocal grooves that includes his reading of "Stolen Moments" (later made famous by United Future Organization), plus "D.C. Farewell" and an excellent version of "Waters of March". Warm and breezy, with that ... LP, Vinyl record album
Shirley Horn
Where Are You Going?Perception, 1972. Very Good+
A beautiful lost album by Shirley Horn, and unlike anything else she's ever done. Recorded in a period of obscurity, this LP features a stunning range of material, such as the cuts "Consequences of a Drug Addict Role", a haunting 10 minute mood piece on addiction, "L.A. ... LP, Vinyl record album
Joe Williams
Presenting Joe Williams And Thad Jones Mel LewisSolid State, 1968. Near Mint- Gatefold
A funky big band album, recorded by Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, with the great Joe Williams on vocals! The record is one of the most sought-after by the team – probably because it includes the hard breakbeat version of "Get Out of My Life Woman" that's been sampled often over the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Swingle Singers
Bach's Greatest Hits (aka Jazz Sebastian Bach)Philips, Late 60s. Very Good+
A fantastic bit of vocal jazz, sung by the legendary Swingle Singers in a style that shaped easy listening and soundtrack music for years to come! The French group had roots in vocalese jazz traditions – from groups like Lambert Hendricks & Ross or Les Double Six – but for this ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leon Thomas
Gold Sunrise On Magic MountainFlying Dutchman/Mega, 1971. Very Good Gatefold
A very nice live set by Leon – recorded with a great electric group that has Neal Creque on piano, Cornell Dupree on guitar, Oliver Nelson on alto, and added percussion by Sonny Morgan. The vibe is nice and free, and the tracks have a very spiritual sound, in the manner of the work that ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas AlbumFlying Dutchman, 1970. Very Good+ Gatefold
Leon Thomas' first album for Flying Dutchman – and one of his best ever! The vibe is very similar to his work with Pharoah Sanders – with long modal tracks that bring out the best side of Thomas' spiritual vocalizations – especially on the 17 minute track "Pharoah's Tune ... LP, Vinyl record album
Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan
At Newport '63RCA, 1963. Near Mint-
The Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross tradition lives on – in a smoking live set that features Indian singer Yolanda Bavan joining the group in place of recently-departed Ross! Bavan's ability to groove and improvise is every bit as great as that of Annie Ross – and she fits in nicely ... LP, Vinyl record album
King Pleasure/
King Pleasure Sings/Prestige, Early 50s. Very Good-
A record that revolutionized the concept of jazz vocals in the 50s – thanks to famous performances by Annie Ross and King Pleasure! The tracks on the LP include Ross' early interpretations of Wardell Gray's classics "Twisted" and "Farmer's Market", and the King Pleasure ... LP, Vinyl record album
Billie Holiday
Lady Sings the BluesVerve, 1956. Sealed
Possibly one of the most essential Billie Holiday albums for Verve – a set that carries the same title as her famous autobiography, and which also features many key numbers from her songbook at the time! The feel here is quite easygoing and relaxed – with small group backing behind ... LP, Vinyl record album
Anita O'Day & The Three Sounds
Anita O'Day & The Three SoundsVerve, 1962. Very Good+ Gatefold
A great singer and a great trio – a unique Verve outing that has vocalist Anita O'Day joining forces with the Three Sounds combo of pianist Gene Harris! The Three Sounds were always happy to serve as a rhythm combo on dates like this – and they really bring a lot of their own flavor to ... LP, Vinyl record album
Kenny Rankin
Kenny Rankin AlbumLittle David, 1977. Very Good+
A simple title, but a classic album – arguably one of Kenny Rankin's biggest hits of the 70s, but every bit as great as his lesser-known work! Don Costa arranged the set, but the sound is still wonderfully intimate – with a focus on Kenny's vocals and acoustic guitar, steeped in folksy ... LP, Vinyl record album
Slim Gaillard
Slim Gaillard Rides Again!Dot, 1959. Very Good
Some of the best material Slim Gaillard ever recorded! Although he's best known for his Verve work, and for his early 40s sessions in LA – these 1959 recordings for Dot have Slim hitting a groove that's far tighter than usual, with a better jazz influence, and a much freer approach to ... LP, Vinyl record album
Nina Simone
Let It All OutPhilips, 1965. Near Mint-
Excellent Philips work by Nina – a set of tracks that mostly features spare combo backings from Rudy Stevenson on guitar and flute, Bobby Hamilton on drums, and Lisle Atkinson on bass. One track, "For Myself", features arrangements by Horace Ott – and another, "Images&quo ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leon Thomas
Blues & The Soulful TruthFlying Dutchman, 1972. Very Good Gatefold
Leon Thomas takes his vocals to new heights – moving past the straight spiritual jazz modes of his work with Pharoah Sanders, to embrace a whole host of new styles too! There's a slight trace of the blues promised in the title, but always inflected through a more soulful approach overall ... LP, Vinyl record album
Leo Gooden
Leo Sings With StringsLG, 1963. Very Good+
Very obscure record made by the enigmatic Leo Gooden, a politician and night club owner from East St. Louis who made a few records on his own tiny LG label. Gooden's an interesting guy – probably more interesting than he is musically capable – and we're always amazed at the people he ... LP, Vinyl record album
Jackie & Roy
Time & LoveCTI, 1972. Near Mint- Gatefold
An excellent 70s set by Jackie & Roy – very different than their work of the 50s and 60s, with an approach that's much more far-reaching and complicated – a style that opens up their vocal talents majestically! Gone are the simpler ditties of earlier years, and in their place are ... LP, Vinyl record album
Frank Minion
Soft Land Of Make BelieveBethlehem, 1959. Near Mint-
One of the coolest jazz vocal albums you'll ever find! Frank Minion sings this suite of tracks billed as an "Introduction To Black Opium Street", and he puts the music together with little recitations in between the tracks, so that the whole thing sounds like one of the great Langston ... LP, Vinyl record album
Jimmy Scott
SourceAtlantic, 1970. Very Good+
A unique moment from the legendary Jimmy Scott – a one-off album cut for Atlantic Records – recorded after his initial 50s fame, and decades before he'd finally get his due, much later in his life! The album's got a style that's a bit more mature than Scott's initial sides – a ... LP, Vinyl record album
Mel Torme
Mel Torme & The Marty Paich Dek-TetteBethlehem, Mid 50s. Very Good
An incredible album from Mel Torme – easily his best set ever, and a record that helped raise the bar for all other singers back in the 50s! A key part of the success of the set is the presence of Marty Paich as an arranger – as Marty swings the whole thing with a fluid groove that's ... LP, Vinyl record album
Jackie & Roy
Wilder AliasCTI, 1974. Near Mint- Gatefold
Jackie & Roy are definitely getting bit wilder here – hitting an electric early 70s CTI mode, and really growing a lot in the process! The session has the vocal pair working with CTI players who include Hubert Laws on flute, Joe Farrell on saxes, Roy Pennington on vibes, and Steve Gadd ... LP, Vinyl record album
Peggy Lee
I Like Men!Capitol, 1959. Very Good+
A pretty bold assertion from Peggy Lee on the title – but she backs it up nicely in this obscure album of "guy" songs from the end of the 50s! There's a playful feel to the music that fits Lee's vocals very well – as do the bouncy arrangements from Jack Marshall, who turns ... LP, Vinyl record album
Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day Sings The WinnersVerve, Mid 50s. Very Good-
Anita O'Day pays tribute to Downbeat poll winners by singing vocal versions of their big hits in this lively set of jazz tracks from the 50s! Arrangements are by Marty Paich and Russ Garcia, both swinging as nicely as they ever did – and the setting of the album keeps Anita nicely in line, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Joe Williams
Joe Williams LiveFantasy, 1973. Near Mint-
One of the nice records made by Joe during his funky comeback of the late 60s/early 70s. He's singing here in a setting that's decidedly hipper than on earlier albums – with the early 70s Nat/Cannonball Adderley collective that includes George Duke on piano, Carol Kaye on bass, and ... LP, Vinyl record album
Jean DuShon
Make Way For Jean DuShonArgo, 1964. Very Good-
One of the few rare albums cut by Chicago soul jazz singer Jean DuShon, an artist that Chess really tried to push in the mid 60s, but who never really seemed to make it. This one's a nice set of intimate jazz vocal tracks, sung with the Herman Foster trio, and covering a range of material from ... LP, Vinyl record album
Kellee Patterson
Maiden VoyageBlack Jazz, 1973. New Copy (reissue)
The most righteous album ever from Kellee Patterson – her first record, and a set that's way different from her more soul-based sides of later years! The album's got Patterson working in a wonderfully soulful approach to jazz – a style that's not unlike the earliest work by Dee Dee ... LP, Vinyl record album
Beverly Kelly
Beverly Kelly SingsAudio Fidelity, 1957. Very Good+
An early date from vocalist Bev Kelly – working here with a backing from a piano trio led by Pat Moran, with support on bass by a young Scott LaFaro! Kelly's vocals are intimate and warm – with qualities that remind us a bit of Chris Connor on Bethlehem, but without as much of a sense ... LP, Vinyl record album
Lurlean Hunter
Lonesome GalRCA, 1956. Very Good
Moody set of vocals recorded by this obscure Chicago singer. Lurlean got her start at the classy south side Club DeLisa, home to Sun Ra, and a host of other Chicago talents – but by the time of this recording, she'd moved downtown, and had become a classy smoky voiced singer with a good ... LP, Vinyl record album
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
Sing A Song Of Basie (ABC pressing)ABC, Late 50s. Very Good
One of the first albums ever by this legendary jazz vocal group! LHR do the incredible – and create a set of vocal renditions of standards by the Basie band, putting jazzy lyrics in to replace the instrumental solos, but keeping the same vibe as the original tracks. The sound and approach ... LP, Vinyl record album
Billie Holiday
All Or Nothing At AllVerve, Mid 50s. Very Good+
Beautiful Billie from the last years of her life. The material was recorded in 1956 and 1957 in Hollywood, featuring Barney Kessel, Ben Wesbster, Harry Edison, and Jimmy Rowles – all grooving nicely in small group formation. The tracks have a wonderfully fragile quality – and although ... LP, Vinyl record album
Lurlean Hunter
Blue & SentimentalAtlantic, 1960. Very Good+
Probably the best-ever album by this obscure bluesy singer from Chicago! Jimmy Giuffre handled the arrangements, and the record has a bit more polish than some of her other albums. The tracks feature some very nice jazzy arrangements – with Jim Hall on guitar, Jimmy Jones on piano, and ... LP, Vinyl record album
Big Miller
Did You Ever Hear The Blues?United Artists, Late 50s. Very Good
Nice obscure set of blues material recorded for United Artists – featuring the little-known Big Miller performing a set of 11 compositions from the pen of Langston Hughes. The backing on here is similar to that of a Jimmy Rushing album from the same time – as it includes arrangements ... LP, Vinyl record album
Nina Simone
High Priestess Of SoulPhilips, Late 60s. Very Good-
Classic work from Nina Simone – and an album that definitely lives up to its title! Nina Simone certainly emerged as the high priestess of soul during her monumental stretch for Philips Records in the 60s – as she moved way past jazz, way past some of the folk she'd begun tapping into, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday (MGM)MGM, 1959. Very Good+
One of Billie's last sessions – recorded with beautiful large backings by Ray Ellis, and a heartbreaking tone that may not show Billie as strong technically as on some of her earlier albums, but which is pretty darn compelling nonetheless. Titles include "All The Way", "Don't ... LP, Vinyl record album
Nina Simone
Emergency Ward!RCA, 1972. Very Good+
A great little album cut by Nina Simone during the time she was working with Weldon Irvine – a live album that really has the lady stretching out, and showing off all the cool, complicated grooves she brought to a concert setting! Weldon did the arrangements, and they've got a very righteous ... LP, Vinyl record album
Dinah Washington
For Those In LoveEmArcy, Late 50s. Good+
Excellent small group jazz work from Dinah – of the sort that's often quite tough to find on vinyl, and which represents some of her best work of all time! The album's got a good group of Mercury jazz players – like Clark Terry, Paul Quinichette, Cecil Payne, Wynton Kelly, and Jimmy ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, Late 50s. Very Good
An excellent album of vocals by the great Joe Williams! Joe's always been a fine singer, but with Basie, he really gets the backing he needs to do his work the best. And although this album isn't as authenico as it might be, it still comes from a time when Verve really knew how to handle singers ... LP, Vinyl record album
Johnny Hartman
Voice That IsImpulse, 1964. Very Good-
At the time of this album, Johnny Hartman definitely was the voice that is – a singer with a new level of maturity for the 60s, and a voice that's far more masculine than the geeky look of the photo on the cover! Hartman's sound here is smooth and warm, but never in a too-commercial way ... LP, Vinyl record album
