The Best Jazz Singers Of All Time Ranked

Vocal jazz or jazz singing is an approach to jazz using the voice. Vocal jazz emerged in the early twentieth century, with its roots in Blues. Popular blues singers such as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey had a great deal of influence of jazz vocalists such as Billie Holiday. Other characteristics of vocal jazz such as scat singing came out of the New Orleans jazz tradition. Louis Armstrong’s 1926 recording of “Heebie Jeebies” is often cited as the first modern song to employ scatting. This later evolved into the complex vocal improvisation of the bop era that was adopted by Anita O’Day, Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, and Dizzy Gillespie. The Boswell Sisters were a vocal jazz trio originating from New Orleans that help popularize vocal jazz music among the general American public during the 1930s. Repertoire of vocal jazz typically includes the music of the Great American Songbook, however contemporary popular music is now often arranged for vocal jazz ensembles in addition to original music. Such arrangements/original music typically employ the harmonic language of jazz, improvisation, and rhythms derived from the syncretized music of West Africa, African-Americans, and European Art Music traditions. This includes swing music, as well as Latin jazz, jazz fusion, and rhythm and blues. Here are all of the Best Jazz Singers of all time ranked.

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20. Thelonious Monk

“Interestingly enough, on his birth certificate, you can see his name written as “Thelious.” While the poorly written certificate didn’t get his name right, his music made him a name in jazz that will live on forever, spelled the correct way. Initially his angular, yet melodic style didn’t get the respect it deserved. By the 60s, it was evident that he was a force in the genre when he earned himself a spot on the front cover of Time magazine.”

19. Chet Baker

“Brilliant and very talented trumpeter/singer who lived through his music. His music could completely wrench your heart but sound so sweet and heavenly all at the same time. Has so much tenderness and emotion in his voice and trumpet playing. Genius!”

18. Art Tatum

“Art Tatum proved to the world that no disability would hold him back. As a blind pianist from Toledo, Ohio, he showed everyone that anything is possible with desire and drive. This exceptional musician created song after song with swing rhythms and right-hand runs that’ll forever be engraved in the minds of everyone who’s listened to him. He even inspired others in the industry.”

17. Mahavishnu Orchestra

“Maybe more on the rock side than jazz, but the styles and purely insane masturbation produced in the music makes them one of the best in all jazz rock/fusion. Years after their almost-insane intense musical onslaught on the public had ended, the power of the great jazz fusion group The Mahavishnu Orchestra’s special sound still continues to be referenced by very different bands from very different genres.”

16. Dizzy Gillespie

“While he initially put a dash of humor in his music, it didn’t prevent his true talent from shining through. People revere this man as a true gem in the music industry. And nobody can deny that the puffer fish-like way he blew the horn was part of his charm and what made him stand out. Dizzy revolutionized the jazz industry and from his efforts created Latin jazz.”

15. Tony Bennett

“Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, and show tunes. He’s still got it. Don’t belive me? Listen to the album Cheek To Cheek he made with Lady Gaga, who, by the way also has an incredible rich voice for Jazz.”

14. Amy Winehouse

“Amy Winehouse absolutely does not get the credit she deserves. What my generation, and even some of the older generations seem to have an extremely difficult time understanding is she LIVED the jazz lifestyle! Our greatest jazz vocalist and other jazz musicians have been through some of the same things (I.E. – Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker) The difference is, following her horrid relationship with her ex husband and her bad decision to engage in hard drugs she was “raped” for lack of better word by the ridiculous tabloids. There are no words good enough to describe how huge her talent is, as both a singer and song writer. The standards she has sang are impeccable and her own material is original, thought provoking and beyond a pleasure to listen to.”

13. Wes Montgomery

“While his real name was John, he went by Wes in the public eye. But it didn’t matter what name he went by, his jazz guitar playing was more than enough to earn him respect. And he took jazz guitar playing up a notch. During this time playing, he touched on every subgenre from hard bop to smooth jazz. Shockingly, despite the immense amount of talent he had, he couldn’t read music and chose to use his thumb as opposed to a pick—two traits that still to this day are thought of when someone hears his name.”

12. Norah Jones

“Contemporary Jazz Singer-Songwriter is a better description. Norah did enrapture audiences with her album Come Away With Me, and definitely introduced people to a side of Jazz they never saw before, and she continues to be an underrated artist today, with her albums Day Breaks and Feels Like Home being very underrated. Her soft, mellow, relaxing, and soulful voice is like a most beautiful pearl of warmth and pulchritude. Norah is an incredibly creative artist that sings and incorporates everything from Vocal Jazz, Soul, Country, Pop, and so many more genres into her music.”

11. Julie London

“A sultry chanteuse and actress from California, London earns her place among the best jazz singers for her plaintive 1956 signature recording of Arthur Hamilton’s “Cry Me A River” alone, which sold three million copies and made the 30-year-old a talent to reckon with. London’s calling card was a smoky timbre and her ability to convey intimacy with languid phrasing.”

10. Charles Mingus

“Like many of the other artists on this list, Charles Mingus was a dual threat. Not only could he play bass, but he also composed. Throughout his time working in the business, he led various groups and produced some well-known hits, such as “Better Git It In Your Soul.” What truly made this musician unique is his gospel and blues background that he emulsified into his music.”

9. Billie Holiday

“I have extremely eclectic taste. I love jazz, classic rock, indie pop and a thousand things between, but my favorite artist of all time is, hands down, Billie Holiday. No one has ever sung their soul like she did. You feel her pain, her joy, her frailty in every note. There’s no better rainy day soundtrack, wedding theme or breakup anthem than Lady Day.”

8. Frank Sinatra

“The incomparable Chairman Of The Board himself, Frank Sinatra started as a bobbysoxer teen idol in the 40s and got his break singing with the bands of Harry James and then Tommy Dorsey. His career received a boost when he signed to Capitol Records in 1953, where he reinvented himself as a sophisticated swinger who phrased his vocals like a jazz horn player, and whose repertoire drew on The Great American Songbook. Over a century after his death, nobody can swing like Sinatra – he’s still the undisputed “king of the hill.”

7. Charlie Parker

“Parker was a God! His album BIRD was one of the best I’ve ever heard… I’m astounded that he’s not higher… I don’t even know who Django Reinhardt is. I don’t even know one of his songs. But I could list off Charlie Parkers songs and albums fast than you could look them up”

6. Herbie Hancock

“When we talk about versatility in jazz, we must talk about Herbie Hancock. He propelled his career with his wizard-like genius on the keyboard. Throughout his career, he played everything from modal jazz to spiritual meditations to techno-funk. He was sought after by Miles Davis but enjoyed a solo career with Blue Note Records. What made him unique was his adaptability to change with the times. “

5. Ella Fitzgerald

“Fitzgerald began her career with Chick Webb’s band in the late 30s, before hooking up with jazz impresario Norman Granz and establishing a stellar solo career in the 50s. With her silky, unadulterated tone, flawless diction, and peerless scatting ability – which allowed her to improvise like a horn player – Ella Fitzgerald set the gold standard in the art of jazz singing. Start with her incomparable live version of “Mack the Knife” from Ella in Berlin and enjoy the journey as you get to know one of the best.”

4. Duke Ellington

“In the late 20s, Duke Ellington began his career playing at Harlem’s Cotton Club. He helped grow the big band swing movement along with his orchestra. As a pianist by trade, Duke had a unique style known as the staccato style—a form of musical articulation consisting of a shortened note followed by a brief silence and then another note.”

3. Louis Armstrong

“No matter who is the next generation of good Jazzmen/women, no matter how many classic jazz albums have come out, no matter how many good jazz instrumentals we hear or have heard, Louis Armstrong will be to jazz as Elvis was to rock, and Michael Jacskson was to pop. He will be the king of Jazz forever”

2. John Coltrane

“Maybe it’s his diverse background of being born in North Carolina yet raised in Philadelphia. Or maybe it was his natural ability or dedication to his instrument. No matter the case, this saxophonist made a name for himself that’ll last throughout time. He rose to stardom in the 50s when he was part of the Miles Davis Quintet. His talent far exceeded the group scene, which led him to start a solo career. One of his most noteworthy songs was “My Favorite Things.”

1. Miles Davis

“Miles Davis is jazz. In fact, he was arguably the most influential musician of all time in the jazz world. This St. Louis, Illinois, talent was known for his ability to play ballads with a style that was uniquely him. While he truly had natural talent, he honed it at Julliard. Once he left, he entered New York’s jazz scene—and its history from there.