Recommended jazz vocals. The world’s greatest jazz singers.
Jazz fills you with exhilaration while maintaining a calm atmosphere.
It’s one of the most familiar genres of music, yet because of its long history, many people may feel it’s a bit “intimidating.”
For those people, we’ve picked out some of the world’s greatest jazz vocalists.
In the first half, we focus on the classic vocalists who helped shape jazz; in the second half, we feature vocalists leading today’s jazz scene.
Whether you’re well-versed in jazz or brand new to it, we’ve put together a list you can enjoy.
Please relax and enjoy it to the very end.
- [2025] Classic Jazz Vocal Albums: Must-Listen Recommendations
- Captivating female jazz singers who illuminate the history of jazz. Recommended jazz vocals from around the world.
- [Start Here] Jazz Masterpieces: A Must-Listen Album Selection
- Famous jazz musicians. Players who have graced the history of jazz.
- The Royal Road of Jazz: Classic modern jazz masterpieces. Popular tracks you should listen to at least once.
- [For Beginners] Classic Modern Jazz Albums: Recommended Records to Start With
- [Jazz Intro] Classic Jazz Tracks Recommended for First-Time Listeners
- A roundup of great soul music singers and artists
- Famous Western jazz classics. Recommended popular songs.
- A classic jazz ballad from Western music. A world-famous masterpiece and popular song.
- A roundup of iconic bossa nova artists and singers
- [Western Jazz] A Special Feature on Standard Numbers You’ve Heard at Least Once
- [Western Music] A Recommendation of the Lady of Soul: Wonderful Female Soul Singers
Recommended Jazz Vocals: The World’s Great Jazz Singers (21–30)
Crazy SwingDELADAP
DELADAP is a music group active across Europe, primarily based in Austria.
They specialize in genres with Austrian roots such as electro swing and adult contemporary, and their electro swing tracks have earned high acclaim worldwide.
One of their standout songs is Crazy Swing.
As the title suggests, it’s a swing piece, and its appeal lies in a modernly crafted swing sound.
Be sure to check it out.
AAADimie Cat
Dimi Cat is a jazz singer with impressively languid, ennui-tinged vocals.
A vocalist from France, she mainly works in electro swing—a genre pioneered by Austrian music producer Parov Stelar.
Her track “AAA” is one of her signature works, crafted into a uniquely immersive and addictive take on electro swing.
If you’re looking for something a bit offbeat, be sure to give it a listen.
Lullaby of BirdlandNikki Yanofsky
Nikki Yanofsky is a jazz vocalist from Montreal, Canada.
In 2006, at the young age of 12, she performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and since then she has gained popularity as one of Canada’s leading young jazz vocalists.
Among her works, a particularly recommended number is Lullaby of Birdland.
In Japan, it is known under the title “Bādorando no Komoriuta” (Lullaby of Birdland), and it is a classic that has been beloved as a jazz standard for many years.
Lullaby of birdlandChris Connor
Chris Connor, the American jazz singer who rose to fame as one of Stan Kenton’s celebrated “Kenton Girls,” captivated listeners with her husky, cool voice that seemed to carry the atmosphere of a city night.
Her tone blended effortlessly with any ensemble, from big bands to intimate piano trios.
Her body of work after signing with Atlantic Records in the 1950s is filled with masterpieces that solidified her sophisticated style.
Though cool, her singing also conveys a certain warmth that feels close to the heart, inviting listeners into the profound world of jazz.
You’ll find yourself entranced by her distinctive sense of space and expressive power.
Song For My FatherDee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater, a great American artist who has been at the forefront of the jazz world for more than half a century.
Her overwhelming voice is rooted in jazz tradition yet brilliantly fuses soul, African music, and even French chansons.
Many listeners have surely felt their hearts dance to her playful scat, as heard on her tribute album dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald.
Her versatility, which has earned her not only Grammy Awards but also a Tony Award in the theater world, is nothing short of stunning.
Her performances, which embody the joy of music with her entire being, set listeners’ hearts free.
Once upon a summertimeBetty Carter
Many of you have probably been captivated by the thrilling allure of jazz improvisation.
Betty Carter, an American vocalist, could truly be called a one-of-a-kind singer who embodied that very spontaneity using only her voice.
Her technique of subtly shifting the melody creates a sense of suspense, like a daring game that defies the listener’s expectations.
Because of her innovative style, there’s even a famous story that she was fired seven times from the Lionel Hampton band—a testament to the strength of her convictions.
In addition to winning a Grammy, she also devoted herself passionately to mentoring young musicians, a facet of her legacy well worth noting.
UntilCécile McLorin Salvant
Cécile McLorin Salvant is an American talent who shines brilliantly on the contemporary jazz scene.
Her music, which weaves together blues and even Baroque elements on a foundation of jazz, feels like listening to an epic story.
Her extraordinary gifts are evident in achievements such as winning the Grammy Award three years in a row and being hailed as a “genius” by the MacArthur Foundation.
Her ability to breathe new life into historical themes—exemplified by works like Mélusine, centered on a French folktale—is nothing short of remarkable.
With deep reverence for tradition and her own interpretive flair, her voice creates an entirely new world—one that will surely enrich your musical experience.