[Dixielandjazz] Jazz singers

[Anton Crouch]

Hello all

Because people like Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald 
have become great personalities, we forget that jazz singing is 
essentially the use of the voice as an instrument in a jazz band. Great 
vocal soloists are like great instrumental soloists.

Let's go back a bit and listen to Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.

Bessie, in particular. Less than half of her recorded output is blues - 
most is popular song - jazz singing. Fletcher Henderson's /Alexander's 
ragtime band/ of 1927 contains two great solos - Bessie singing and Joe 
Smith playing cornet.

All the best,
Anton