30 Greatest Jazz Singers You Should Know About  

30 Greatest Jazz Singers You Should Know About

They say Jazz doesn’t have an expiration date. It has been a driving force in the music industry for centuries. At the forefront of this musical revolution have been singers, saxophonists, trumpeters, pianists, guitarists, and drummers who are all jazz musicians.

Jazz singing is one of the most captivating and complex art forms in the world of music. A great jazz singer possesses not only a beautiful voice but also a deep understanding of the music, a mastery of improvisation, and the ability to convey emotion in a way that connects with the listener.

From pioneers such as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday to modern-day icons like Gregory Porter, jazz singers have shaped the course of music history and influenced countless artists across the globe.

Whether you’re a seasoned jazz music lover or a newcomer to the genre, here are the 30 greatest jazz singers you should know about.

1. Louis Armstrong 

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One of the most influential figures in jazz is Louis Daniel Armstrong, who was an African-American trumpeter and jazz singer. He was also known as Satchmo, Satch, and Pops in the music circles and he had a rich, gravelly voice. 

Armstrong was born on 4th August 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana and he started singing when he was young. He was a skillful improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song plus adding syllables that didn’t make sense to create a melody on the go, also known as scat singing. 

With decades of experience as a jazz singer, Pops had recorded many classic jazz songs, including La Vie en Rose, West End Blues, Potato Head Blues, When the Saints Go Marching In, and What a Wonderful World. He continued to perform and record music until his death on July 6, 1971, in New York City. 

2. Billie Holiday 

Eleanora Fagan, professionally known as Billie Holiday or Lady Day, was an American jazz music singer born on 7th April 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is one of the greatest vocalists of all time, with a unique and emotive voice.  

She had a strong influence on jazz music and What a Little Moonlight Can Do, God Bless the Child, Strange Fruit, and Lover Man were some of her songs. Her music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world up to this day. 

Holiday faced many challenges, including racism, sexism, and addiction. She died at the age of 44 on 17th July 1959, of pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by cirrhosis of the liver. 

Here are facts about Billie Holiday.

3. Gregory Porter 

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Gregory Porter is an award-winning American jazz singer who was born on 4th November 1971 in Sacramento, California and is widely regarded as one of the most talented and original voices in the jazz music scene.  

Known to always have a deerstalker-style hat on, Porter’s music blends elements of jazz, soul, and gospel, and his lyrics often touch on themes of love, loss, and personal struggle. 

He has 6 studio albums and he has a distinctive baritone voice. This singer can convey deep emotion through his singing. Magic Cup, Lonesome Lover, and When Love Was King are some of his songs. He won two Grammys for his jazz albums. 

Check out the most famous singers from Sacramento here.

4. Hugh Masekela 

Born on 4th April 1939 in the township of KwaGuqa in Witbank (Emalahleni) in South Africa, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was a South African jazz singer who played the trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet. He was The undisputed ‘father of South African jazz’ and his songs were inspired by the struggles of black South Africans during apartheid. 

He wrote anti-apartheid songs such as Soweto Blues, Stimela, Khawuleza, Coal Train, and Bring Him Back Home. He released 44 albums when he was alive. The 45th was released posthumously and it featured Tony Allen the drummer. It is titled Rejoice and it was the last for both legendary singers. 

He was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba for 2 years in the 1960s. Masekela died on 23rd January 2018 in Johannesburg from prostate cancer. He was 78 years old. 

5. Al Jarreau   

Alwin Lopez Jarreau was an American jazz music singer who was born on 12th March 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started singing in church and school at a young age before he began singing in clubs. He had a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology but Jazz was his primary occupation.  

Al Jarreau was among the performers on the 1985 charity song “We Are the World.” He has 17 albums, has won seven Grammy Awards, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His unique vocal style, characterized by his smooth and soulful voice, has influenced jazz music widely. 

He died of respiratory failure on 12th February 2017 at 76 years old.

6. Ella Fitzgerald

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Ella Jane Fitzgerald was a Grammy Award-winning American jazz singer whose influence on jazz and music, in general, cannot be quantified. Known as First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, or Lady Ella, her music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed the world over.

Born on 25th April 1917 in Newport News, Virginia, Ella’s vocal range was remarkable, and her ability to scat sing, and improvise was awesome. The rendition of the nursery rhyme ‘A-Tisket A-Tasket’ was one of her earliest songs. Others include Summertime, Mack the Knife, Dream a Little Dream of Me, Cheek to Cheek, and It Don’t Mean a Thing are some of her songs.

Ella was also a civil rights activist, using her talent to break racial barriers across the nation. She died of a stroke on 15th June 1996 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 79 years.

7. Peggy Lee

Norma Deloris Egstrom, professionally known as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz music singer and actress who was known for her sultry voice and sophisticated style. She was born on 26th May 1920 in Jamestown, North Dakota and her legacy continues to influence and inspire jazz fans around the world.

Throughout her career, Lee was known for her smooth and sensual singing style, as well as her ability to convey complex emotions through her music plus her glamorous stage presence. She was also a fashion icon and had won many awards and honors. She had a heart attack and passed on in January 2002.

8. Esperanza Spalding

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Esperanza Emily Spalding is an American jazz bassist and singer who began her jazz career in the early 2000s. She was born on 18th October 1984 in Portland, Oregon, and began playing the violin at a young age before switching to the bass.

This singer has 8 albums so far. Her innovative approach to jazz and her commitment to using music as a tool for social change has made her a beloved and respected figure in the music world.

9. Frank Sinatra 

Born on 12th December 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Francis Albert Sinatra was an American award-winning jazz singer and actor known for his smooth, velvety voice, impeccable phrasing, and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. 

Frank collaborated with many musicians and had close to 60 albums plus many awards and honors. My Way, Fly Me to the Moon, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, The Way You Look Tonight, Come Fly With Me, Summer Wind, All the Way, and You Make Me Feel So Young are some of Sinatra’s songs. 

He rested on 14th May 1998 in Los Angeles, California, after two heart attacks. He was 82 years old and had other health problems.   

10. Diana Krall 

Diana Jean Krall is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer who was born on 16th November 1964 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. She has a low and beautifully smoky voice and is known for her sophisticated piano playing.  

Diana has 15 studio albums so far and her songs include Autumn in New York, Peel Me a Grape, The Look of Love, I’ll String Along with You, and Let’s Fall in Love among others. 

Her music is amazing, and she has received many awards and honors over the years. 

11. Nat King Cole

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Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1919, but raised in Chicago, Illinois, Nathaniel Adams Coles was an American jazz singer and pianist. He had a smooth, mellow voice and was able to effortlessly infuse emotion into his performances. He was also an actor and TV personality. 

Straighten Up and Fly Right, Route 66, Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, and Nature Boy are some of his songs having released over 30 albums. Cole was an award-winning singer, and he has been honored severally even posthumously.  

Cole died of lung cancer in 1965 at the age of 45 years. 

12. Sarah Vaughan 

Sarah Lois Vaughan was one of the greatest American jazz singers who was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1924. Also known as Sassy or The Divine One, this singer was a pianist and had mastered the art of improvisation.  

What a Difference a Day Made, You Go to My Head, Love Me or Leave Me, Lullaby of Birdland, Misty, and Summertime are some of her songs. Sarah had released more than 50 albums during her career and was also a civil rights activist involved in various political and social causes. 

Sarah passed on in 1990 at the age of 66 from lung cancer. Her legacy lives on. 

13. José James 

Born in 1978 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, José James is a great and talented jazz singer who is known for his smooth and emotive voice plus melodic and thought-provoking songs. His live performances often incorporate elements of improvisation and audience interaction which makes them quite entertaining. 

With over 10 albums so far, Park Bench People, Trouble, Love, Blackmagic, Code, and Come to My Door are some of his songs. James blends jazz, soul, and hip-hop skillfully. 

14. Kurt Elling 

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Another jazz singer you should know about is Kurt Elling, mainly because of his commitment to promoting jazz music. He is an American award-winning jazz singer who was born on 2nd November 1967 in Chicago, Illinois.  

Kurt has a distinctive baritone voice, and his music has poetic lyrics, complex harmonies, and intricate vocal arrangements. Scatting and improvisation are his thing, and his live performances are known to be energetic and spontaneous. 

A Secret I, Man in the Air, The Waking, Tanya Jean, A New Body and Soul, and Norwegian Wood are some of his songs. 

15. Dinah Washington

Ruth Lee Jones, whose stage name was Dinah Washington, was an American jazz singer and pianist who was born in 1924 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was one of the most influential musicians back in the day and particularly a trailblazer for black female artists. 

Dinah started as a gospel singer before moving to other genres. This singer was also known for her improvisational skills which she showcased in her live performances.  

What a Diff’rence a Day Makes, Unforgettable, and Mad About the Boy are some of her songs, and she had close to 20 albums. She died in 1963 at 39 years old. 

16. Wynton Marsalis 

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Wynton Learson Marsalis is an American jazz trumpeter who is a highly respected figure in the world of jazz music. His contributions to the genre have been significant and far-reaching and he has won numerous awards and honors for his work. 

Marsalis was born in 1961 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he began playing the trumpet from an early age. He has served as the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City since the late 80s. 

This musician has not only been an advocate for jazz music and its history, but also composes music for ballets, operas, and other classical music ensembles. He has released many albums and hit singles. 

17. Carmen McRae  

Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer and pianist who was born in 1922 in Harlem, New York City. McRae was known for her distinctive voice and unique phrasing, which made her one of the most influential jazz singers of the 20th century. 

With over 60 albums, McRae’s songs include The Masquerade Is Over, Star Eyes, and Don’t Misunderstand. She had a distinctive voice plus a unique talent. She was honored and awarded severally. 

She rested in 1994 in Beverly Hills, California. 

18. Mark Murphy 

Mark Howe Murphy was an American jazz music singer who was born in 1932 in New York. He was known for his improvisational style and ability to scat sing, which made him one of the most innovative jazz singers of his time. 

He was honored severally during his career and released over 50 albums. Some of his most popular songs include Stolen Moments, Jelly Jelly Blues, On the Red Clay, and Cantaloupe Island.  

Mark died in 2015 in Englewood, New Jersey at 83 years old. 

19. Dee Dee Bridgewater 

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Denise Eileen Garrett, professionally known as Dee Dee Bridgewater, is an American award-winning jazz singer who was born in 1950 in Memphis, Tennessee. She has a powerful and soulful voice, and she interprets jazz standards and contemporary songs skillfully. 

Afro Blue, Love From the Sun, and Angel Eyes are some of her songs and she has released several albums so far.  

20. Bobby McFerrin 

Born Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. In 1950 in Manhattan, New York City, Bobby McFerrin is another great jazz singer you should know about. He is a versatile and innovative artist with a unique voice that he uses as a percussion and is a master of improvisation. 

Don’t Worry – Be Happy, Drive, Good Lovin’, and All I Want are some of his songs. He has many albums to his name and has won many awards over the years. 

21. Ron Carter  

Ronald Levin Carter is an American jazz musician who plays bass guitar and is a true jazz legend whose influence on jazz music cannot be quantified. His compositions and performances are exciting to watch because he gives it his all. 

He has been awarded and honored severally for his contributions to the jazz world, and Blues for D.P., Eight, Little Waltz, and Nearly are some of his songs. 

22. Nina Simone 

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Eunice Kathleen Waymon, whose stage name is Nina Simone, was an American jazz singer who was also known as the High Priestess of Soul. Born in 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, this singer had a powerful and distinct voice.  

Her songs include My Baby Just Cares for Me, I Put a Spell on You, Feeling Good, and Love Me or Leave Me. She had released many albums and successful hit singles. 

Her music continues to inspire and move audiences around the world. She died in 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, France at the age of 70 years. Her daughter Lisa is a jazz singer.

23. Duke Ellington 

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was an American award-winning jazz pianist who played a key role in breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry. He was born in 1899 in Washington, D.C, and his music was sophisticated, complex, and versatile.  

Duke was a master of combining different musical styles and released tens of albums. Some of his songs include Take the A Train, Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady, In a Sentimental Mood, Satin Doll, and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. 

He has many honors and awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Duke died of lung cancer in 1974 at 75 years. 

24. Mary Lou Williams   

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Mary Lou Williams was an American jazz musician in the swing and bebop eras, who lived from 1910 to 1981. She was influential in the jazz world, especially as an advocate for women in the genre. She did numerous albums throughout her career, showcasing her skills as a pianist, arranger, and composer. 

It Ain’t Necessarily So, Scratchin’ in the Gravel, Walkin’ and Swingin’, and In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee are some of her songs. Her contributions to the development of the genre have been widely recognized. 

25. Mose Allison 

Mose John Allison Jr. was an American jazz singer and pianist who was born in Mississippi in 1927 and grew up in a musical family. This jazz master combined different musical styles and his songs often had a humorous, satirical edge that was influenced by his background. 

He did lots of albums during his career and even taught music at the university. He has been honored severally and Fool’s Paradise, Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy, I Don’t Worry About a Thing, and Young Man Blues are some of his songs. 

Allison passed away in 2016 at the age of 89. 

26. Dianne Reeves 

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Dianne Elizabeth Reeves is an American jazz singer who is known for her powerful and soulful voice. She was born in 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in a musical family, with her dad and mum playing the trumpet and piano respectively.  

Dianne blends different musical styles plus her music is amazing and her performances are dynamic and entertaining. She has released over 20 albums throughout her career and has won many awards and honors. 

27. Anita O’Day 

Anita Belle Colton was an American jazz singer known for her dynamic vocal style and improvisational abilities. She was born in 1919 in Missouri but grew up in Illinois and she changed her last name to O’Day. This talented artist, known as ‘The Jezebel of Jazz’, had released many albums over the years and was honored severally. 

She was unique in her music style and didn’t conform to societal norms. She was open about her struggles with drug addiction and her bisexuality.  

Here’s an article on LGBTQ singers. 

28. Patience Higgins 

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Patience Higgins is an American jazz musician who plays multiple instruments, notably the saxophone. He was born in South Carolina but is currently based in New York City. He has been active in the jazz scene for several decades and his soulful and expressive saxophone playing places him above the rest. 

Higgins is also a respected music teacher, having taught at several universities. Dizzy Atmosphere, How Insensitive, and Flyin’ High are some of his songs. 

29. Kavita Shah 

Kavita Shah is an American jazz singer who creates beautiful music by uniquely blending jazz, Indian classical music, and other global musical traditions. Born and raised in New York by parents who were from Mumbai, Kavita traveled to India to study Indian classical music and spent time in Brazil, where she explored the country’s rich musical traditions. 

She speaks several languages fluently, and her music reflects her deep appreciation for different cultures and traditions. She is a highly regarded jazz vocalist and composer. 

30. Harry Connick Jr. 

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Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. is an American jazz musician who was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. His music is a unique blend of jazz, pop, and funk music. Harry has a smooth, soulful voice and is dedicated to his craft. He is also an actor and TV personality who has been honored for his contributions to jazz.    

This musician plays the piano with precision and has since released close to 40 albums. It Had to Be You, Recipe for Love, and Come By Me are some of his songs. Harry continues to perform and record music.

Known for their timeless melodies, soulful improvisations, and powerful vocals, those are some of the world’s greatest jazz singers that you should know about. Like Art Blakey once said, ‘Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life’. 

Read an article on famous opera singers here.