Ten Great Vocal Jazz Albums You Need to Hear

If you’re a fan of vocal jazz, then you need to check out these ten great albums. From Ella Fitzgerald to Sarah Vaughan, these are essential recordings.

Introduction

When it comes to jazz, there are countless amazing albums out there. But when it comes to vocal jazz albums, there are a few that truly stand out above the rest. Here are ten of the best vocal jazz albums that you need to hear:

1. Ella Fitzgerald – “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook” (1956)
2. Sarah Vaughan – “Sassy” (1958)
3. Billie Holiday – “Lady in Satin” (1958)
4. Nina Simone – “Little Girl Blue” (1958)
5. Dinah Washington – “What a Difference a Day Makes” (1959)
6. Shirley Horn – “Empress of the Blues” (1960)
7. Abbey Lincoln – “It’s Magic” (1961)
8. Carmen McRae – “Bittersweet” (1964)
9. Nancy Wilson – “The Nancy Wilson Show” (1965)
10. Joni Mitchell – “Miles of Aisles” (1974)

Sarah Vaughan – In the Land of Hi-Fi (1956)

Possibly the most perfect vocal jazz album ever recorded, In the Land of Hi-Fi was Sarah Vaughan’s first foray into the world of stereophonic sound. Backed by a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Ernie Wilkins, Vaughan’s voice is captured in all its multi-hued glory, floating effortlessly above the lush arrangements. The material is mostly standards – “Lover Man,” “I Cover the Waterfront,” “Summertime” – but it’s Vaughan’s interpretations that make them shine. She is at turns seductive, wistful, playful and ebullient, always in complete control of her remarkable instrument. In the Land of Hi-Fi is an essential album for any fan of vocal jazz.

Ella Fitzgerald – Sings the Cole Porter Songbook (1956)

As anyone who has ever tried to sing along with one of Ella Fitzgerald’s recordings can attest, this was a woman with some serious vocal chops. On her legendary Cole Porter Songbook album, she put those chops on full display, tackling some of the notoriously difficult-to-sing standards in the Great American Songbook with seeming ease. Jazz purists may balk at the inclusion of a pop vocalist on a list of great jazz albums, but there’s no denying the skill and artistry Fitzgerald brought to her work.

Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin (1958)

An album of torch songs and ballads recorded late in Holiday’s career, when her voice was ravaged by years of smoking and hard living. It’s a measure of her artistry that she could still make magic with material like “I’m a Fool to Want You,” “For All We Know,” and the title track.

Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue (1958)

Nina Simone’s debut album for Bethlehem Records was also her most intimate and introspective. It’s a recording that perfectly captures the singer in transition from classically trained pianist and vocalist to one of the most distinctive and innovative voices of the 20th century. Highlights include the title track, “I Loves You, Porgy,” “Stars,” and her signature song, “My Baby Just Cares for Me.”

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross – Sing a Song of Basie (1959)

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross – Sing a Song of Basie is a 1959 album by the vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. It is a collection of big band arrangements by Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross of songs associated with the Count Basie orchestra.

Tony Bennett – I Left My Heart in San Francisco (1962)

One of the most popular singers of the 20th century, Tony Bennett is also one of the most important and influential vocalists in jazz history. His 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco is a true classic, featuring some of his best-loved standards like “I Wanna Be Around” and “The Best Is Yet to Come.” Bennett’s clear, effortless vocals are backed by a tight jazz combo led by Ralph Sharon, making for a perfect balance of old-school charm and modern sophistication.

Stan Getz – Focus (1961)

This is the album that announced Stan Getz as a ballad player without peer.
Getz’s distinctive woody tone on tenor saxophone sounded like no other, and his solo on the title track is a clinic in how to build a beautiful melody.

Astrud Gilberto – The Astrud Gilberto Album (1964)

The Astrud Gilberto Album is the debut album by Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto. Released in 1964 on Verve Records, it peaked at number 37 on Billboard’s “Jazz Albums” chart and number 155 on the “Pop Albums” chart. The album was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

With its release, Gilberto began her successful solo career as a bossa nova singer. The album features Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions and Gilberto’s English-language interpretations of them, as well as two tracks with Jobim singing in Portuguese. American jazz pianist Walter Wanderley plays throughout the album and provides arrangements for the string section.

Reception to The Astrud Gilberto Album was positive, with Allmusic awarding it five out of five stars and praising Gilberto’s vocal performance and the quality of the album’s material. In a retrospective review, The Guardian praised Wanderley’s playing and called the album “one of bossa nova’s all-time greats”.

Carmen McRae – The Sound of Silence (1966)

Recorded in the aftermath of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Carmen McRae’s The Sound of Silence is a set of reflective, often somber interpretations of pop and folk songs like “The Times They Are A-Changin'” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” But McRae’s impeccable phrasing and gift for finding the emotional core of a song elevate the material, making this one of her most rewarding albums.