10 Essential Jazz Vocal Records

I'm only offering one recording per artist. There could easily be 5 Sinatra's and 7 Ella Fitzgerald's, etc., but this way I can tip you to a greater range of singers, some of whom you might not know. This is in roughly chronological order. All of these are blessed with great instrumentalists.

1. Billie Holiday: Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday (on Columbia)
The alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.

2. Ella Fitzgerald: Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook
Ella's Cole Porter songbook gets all the attention, but, for my money, this is the best.

3. Sarah Vaughan: Sarah Vaughan
Here is the Divine One in top 1950s form, with her full tone and operatic control on display.

4. Nina Simone: Anthology
Collections seem to work best for Simone. But they need to include "I Loves You Porgy."

5. Frank Sinatra: Sinatra at the Sands (with the Count Basie Orchestra)
Sinatra displays complete command on this set of perfectly arranged, timeless standards.

6. Tony Bennett and Bill Evans: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
You have to hear this. Just voice and piano. Flawless and, in places, quite moving.

7. Carmen McRae: Carmen Sings Monk
This contains my favorite jazz singing ever. The lyrics added to the Monk tunes are actually great.

8. Karrin Allyson: The Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane
Allyson is my favorite contemporary jazz singer. This one features superb sax improv.

9. Dianne Reeves: A Little Moonlight
How good is Dianne Reeves? Really good! What tone!

10. Gregory Porter: Be Good
Porter is good for the soul. He's vibrating on a higher level. Listen up.