25 Greatest Alto Singers Of All Time   

25 Greatest Alto Singers Of All Time   

“The alto voice is a gift. It is a voice that is both powerful and delicate, rich and soulful. It is a voice that can move mountains and touch hearts.” – Anonymous  

When I think about alto singers, Tracy Chapman, Amy Winehouse, and others come to mind. Altos are the second-highest voices in a typical four-part choir, positioned below sopranos and above tenors.

These singers are incredible performers, thanks to a wide range of vocal notes that they can sing comfortably. They all have a warm, rich, and powerful voice that makes their music appealing to the ears by adding depth and richness to their songs. Here are the 25 greatest alto singers of all time. 

Read about Baritone Singers here.

25. Amy Winehouse (1983 – 2011) 

Gregory Gebhardt from Laguna Beach, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

We start off our list with this British Singer who was known for her hoarse and smoky but also lovely and exciting voice. Her voice had this natural power that almost feels heavy….like it could fill a room.

Amy could belt out all kinds of notes with ease, and her voice was very flexible like a singer’s should be. This is why she was comfortable singing different genres from jazz to soul and R&B. 

Another good thing about her alto voice was that she was able to establish a strong emotional connection with audiences thanks to the strength and vulnerability of her voice. Could her distinctive tone, which helped her stand out from other singers, have been perhaps enhanced by her years of smoking? Who knows? 

Check out these facts about Amy Winehouse.

24. Adele 

Adele is a powerhouse British singer who has a unique and easily identifiable voice that falls within the alto range. She can comfortably sing all notes without straining her voice and knows how to control it incredibly.

This singer effectively transitions between notes without losing power. Many of her songs have lovely melodies that highlight her alto skills, which coupled with her storytelling-songwriting skills will have you listening to her music all day long on loop.

Adele has succeeded in her music career because of her alto voice and will continue entertaining us day by day. 

23. Tracy Chapman

Video Courtesy Of YouTube. 

Tracy Chapman is an American alto singer whose warm and smooth voice has a vocal range that comfortably covers the lower and mid-range notes. Her deep voice is also very expressive meaning she can convey a wide range of emotions through her singing. 

Her alto voice, awesome guitar playing, and beautiful storytelling in her lyrics are what make her music very captivating and easy to listen to. 

22. Janis Joplin (1943 – 1970) 

Janis Joplin was an American singer who was a great rock vocalist thanks to her powerful alto voice. Her performances were awesome which led o her becoming a successful and popular rock icon of her era. 

Janis had a strong middle voice that was raspy, powerful, and soulful with the ability to comfortably sing both lower and higher notes with power and expressiveness. Her unique and iconic voice did indeed set her apart from other singers of her time. 

21. Aretha Franklin (1942 – 2018) 

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With the ability to sing both lower and higher notes easily, Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer who is one of the greatest singers of all time. Her beautiful and powerful alto voice was perfect in many genres including soul, gospel, and R&B.

Aretha was a talented singer who was a symbol of empowerment, musical excellence, and civil rights activism.  She left a mark in the music industry, inspiring generations of artists and fans. 

20. Billie Holiday (1915 – 1959) 

Better known as ‘Lady Day’, this jazz singer was one of the most iconic vocalists in the history of the genre thanks to her beautiful alto voice. Billie Holiday conveyed deep emotions through her singing, and her phrasing and interpretation of songs were unparalleled. Lady Day had a uniquely velvety tone that set her apart from other singers of her time. 

19. Gladys Knight 

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Known for her powerful and soulful voice, Gladys Knight (the Empress of Soul) is an American singer, who became famous as the lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & the Pips, a group that achieved great success in the 60s and 70s decade. 

With her strong alto voice, Gladys gave powerful and emotive performances thanks to her captivating stage presence. She is indeed one of the greatest soul singers of all time. 

18. Ella Fitzgerald (1917 – 1996) 

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer who had a pure tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a “horn-like” improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. 

Ella would use nonsense syllables to create rhythmic and melodic patterns while at the same time playfully exchanging musical phrases with the instrumentalist in her performances. 

17. Chaka Khan 

The Heart Truth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Best known for her work as the lead singer of the funk group Rufus, Chaka Khan is an American singer who has a beautiful alto voice. She sings a wide range of genres, ranging from funk to soul, to R&B, jazz, and pop

Khan’s powerful voice, exceptional vocal control, and passionate delivery have contributed to her successful career in the music industry. 

16. Cher 

Video Courtesy Of YouTube. 

Cher is an American singer who sings pop, rock, disco, and country thanks to her mellow alto voice. She sings with a deep and rich tone and is able to project emotion using her voice.

Cher’s voice has also been praised for its versatility, as she is able to sing in a variety of different styles. She can belt out high notes with ease, and her voice has a commanding presence to it. Fans know her voice well because it is one of the most distinctive and recognizable in the world. 

15. Anita Baker  

Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Anita Baker is an American alto singer who can sing with the lowest female vocal range. Her expressive and emotive singing style, along with her unique voice, has made her a household name.

She is known for singing ballads with passion and soul, and her voice has been praised by many. Baker’s legacy as a singer is immense because she is one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

14. Patsy Cline (1932 -1963)

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Patsy Cline was an American country music icon who had a strong middle voice with the ability to sing both lower and higher notes comfortably. Her voice was very expressive, and she was able to convey a wide range of emotions through her singing. 

This legend is one of the greatest country singers of all time, and her music continues to inspire and entertain fans over the years. 

13. Sade  

Known for her unique and distinctive voice, Sade is a Nigerian-British singer who is known for her unique blend of soul, funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. She is one of the greatest alto soul singers of all time. She is elegant and sophisticated and her music continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world. 

12. Toni Braxton 

The Heart Truth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Toni Braxton is an American singer who has powerful vocals that she knows how to control well. In her songs, she belts out high notes with ease. Her voice has a commanding presence to it and it’s also very expressive enabling her to convey a wide range of emotions through her singing. 

11. Liza Minnelli 

Known for her vocal prowess, Liza Minnelli is an American singer who is known for her performances on stage and screen, especially in musical theater. She has been involved in numerous successful Broadway shows over the years.

Liza’s alto voice is powerful and emotive, so coupled with her dynamic stage presence she most definitely nails it when it comes to amazing performances, and that is how she is a household name. 

10. Norah Jones 

Video Courtesy Of YouTube. 

Norah Jones is an American singer and pianist who is known for her sultry, jazz-influenced vocals and her ability to blend genres such as jazz, blues, pop, and folk. She is a very talented artist who is known for her soothing and mellow voice, singing even the low notes comfortably. 

Her soothing voice and heartfelt performances have made her one of the most respected and beloved artists of her generation. 

9. Mariah Carey  

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Blessed with a powerful and flexible voice, Mariah Carey is an American alto singer and serious entertainer who belts out beautiful songs that are catchy and smooth. She has set standards with her unique singing style and she has heavily influenced contemporary pop and R&B music.

Mariah is one of the greatest vocalists in modern music history, and her smooth and mellow voice is easy to listen to.

Here are facts about Mariah Carey.

8. Mahalia Jackson (1911 – 1972) 

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer who was known for her powerful voice. Being one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, her music was loved not only for its message of hope and inspiration but also because of her beautiful and powerful alto voice.

Her music was also about social justice and equality and was a source of strength and comfort for many people and her hymns are still popular today.

7. Dolly Parton

Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dolly Parton is an American singer who has a strong alto voice with the ability to sing both lower and higher notes with power and emotion. She sings country music and so storytelling in her songs is her thing. With her unique mellow voice, Dolly mostly sings about love, loss, and redemption. 

6. Lauryn Hill 

Video Courtesy Of YouTube. 

Lauryn Hill is an American singer who is known for her powerful alto vocals and her unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and reggae. She is a true icon, and her voice is powerful and emotive. This singer uses different tones when rapping and singing and is good at bridging the two.

Lauryn has a wide vocal range and flexibility which allows her to sing a wide variety of genres. Her voice has a unique sound that is instantly recognizable.  

5. Jennifer Hudson 

Known for her powerful voice Jennifer Hudson is an American singer and actress who sings women empowerment anthems. Her vocal talent and captivating performances both in the music industry and on the big screen remain one of her most defining and admired attributes, making her one of the most celebrated vocalists of her generation. 

She knows how to control her voice and so she can sing a wide range of notes comfortably and with clarity.

4. India Arie 

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India Arie is an American singer who sings alto. Her voice is deep, rich, and smooth with a warm and velvety quality that sets her apart from other singers. Throughout her career, India Arie has been highly praised for her captivating performances.

Her songs have elements of R&B, soul, and folk, and her lyrics often touch on themes of empowerment, self-love, and spirituality. India is a lyrical storyteller that’s for sure and her music is very enjoyable to listen to. 

3. Tina Turner (1939 – 2023) 

Tina Turner was a legendary American-Swiss singer and performer who had a strong voice that could comfortably sing both low and high notes with power and emotion. Her unique voice had raspiness and rawness that sets her apart from other singers. 

Tina is one of the greatest icons in the history of rock and roll, and her energetic stage presence and feel-good songs are what she was famous for. 

2. Lady Gaga

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Known for her broad musical taste and vibrant personality, Lady Gaga is an award-winning American singer who has a powerful and versatile alto voice. She can sing both lower and higher notes without struggling. Gaga sings several genres, from pop and dance and jazz, thanks to her flexible voice.

Lady Gaga’s singing voice allows her to transition seamlessly and fit into whatever song she wants to sing. She has evolved as an artist, experimenting and collaborating with various musicians. Her strong points are her vocal abilities and artistic vision.

1. Etta James (1938 – 2012) 

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Etta James was an American singer who had a strong alto voice with the ability to sing both lower and higher notes with power. Her vocal range showcased her versatility and impressive abilities within the alto range.  

She possessed a powerful and soulful voice that was filled with emotion and authenticity, making her one of the greatest vocalists in the history of blues, R&B, and soul music. 

Those are the greatest alto singers of all time. The things that they all have in common in their voices are warmth, fullness, and a rich tonal quality They remain an important part of the vocal landscape, and their unique voices add a touch of magic to their music.

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