Daily Dose of Vocal Jazz Part 3 (of 5): Our Love Rolls On: The 1980s and 1990s jazz generation

The commonsense narrative that jazz disappeared after rock came along is false. Since the 1980s multiple generations of talented, eclectic, and distinctive vocalists have emerged in the jazz world. Below are 19 of the best including info on when they made their jazz debut, the album to start with, and a listing of their most recent album. Several, such as Dee Dee Bridgewater and Curtis Stigers, had pop incarnations before focusing on jazz. Further, there are several excellent vocal artists of this generation worth checking out, such as Bay area vocalist and educator Kitty Margolis, who are not listed only because they have not released an album in over a decade. As a selective list I focused on the singers of this generation I find most listenable and creative so it reflects personal taste.

This generation largely broke away from performing in the shadows of their predecessors. Rather than slavishly emulating icons of previous generations they sought a different path. In many cases they focused on writing their own “standards” or revised this notion by singing songs of their generation. They also experimented with arrangements beyond big bands, orchestras, and the jazz trios. The only way to define them is daringly eclectic.

Below you will find a variety pack of vocalists. Some are primarily known for singing standards (Ann Hampton Callaway); performing original material (Patricia Barber, Rene Marie); practicing the art of vocalese (Kurt Elling); integrating pop, country, and soul into the mix (Dianne Reeves, Diane Schuur), among other approaches. All are masters of the art of jazz-oriented vocal art.

(Note: Most of the titles are streamable. Some are not streamable (yet) and are accessible through CD, vinyl, and/or cassette).

Karrin Allyson (debut 1993)

Start with: Sweet Home Cookin’ (1994, Concord Jazz)

Most recent album: Some of that Sunshine (2018, Kasrecords)

Patricia Barber (debut 1989)

Start with: Verse (2002, Premonition/Blue Note)

Most recent album: Clique! (2021, Impex Records)

Dee Dee Bridgewater (jazz debut 1989)

Start with: Keeping Tradition (1993, Verve; CD)

Most recent album: Memphis…Yes, I’m Ready (2017, OKeh Records)

Ann Hampton Callaway (debut 1992)

Start with: To Ella with Love (1996, Shanachie)

Most recent album: Jazz Goes to the Movies (2018, Shanachie)

Holly Cole (debut 1990)

Start with: Holly Cole (2007)

Most recent album: Holly (2017, Shanachie)

Madeline Eastman (debut 1990)

Start with: Mad About Madeline (1991, MAD-KAT Records)

Most recent album: A Quiet Thing [with Randy Porter] (2012, MAD-KAT Records)

Kurt Elling (debut 1995)

Start with: This Time It’s Love (1998, Blue Note)

Most recent album: Super Blue (2021, Edition Records)

Allan Harris (debut 1995)

Start with: Here Comes Allan Harris and the Metropole Orchestra (1996, Mons)

Most recent album: Kate’s Soulfood (2021, Love Production Records)

Rebecca Kilgore (debut 1994)

Start with: I Saw Stars (1997, Arbors)

Most recent album: This and That [with Bernd Lhotzky] (2017, Arbors)

René Marie (debut 1999)

Start with: Serene Renegade (2004, Maxjazz)

Most recent album: Sound of Red (2016, Motéma)

Dianne Reeves (debut 1984)

Start with: A Little Moonlight (2003, Blue Note)

Most recent album: Beautiful Life (2013, Concord Records)

Diane Schuur (debut 1984)

Start with: Timeless (1986, GRP)

Most recent album: Running on Faith (2020, Jazzheads)

Ian Shaw (debut 1992)

Start with: Drawn to All Things: The Songs of Joni Mitchell (2006, Linn)

Most recent album: What’s New (2021, Silent Wish Records)

Janis Siegel (solo debut 1982)

Start with: Short Stories (with Fred Hersch) (1989, Atlantic; CD)

Most recent album: Nightsongs: A Late Night Interlude (2013, Palmetto)

Luciana Souza (debut 1998)

Start with: Brazilian Duos (2001, Biscoito Fino)

Most recent album: Storytellers (2020, Sunnyside)

Curtis Stigers (jazz debut 2001)

Start with: Baby Plays Around (2001, Concord Jazz)

Most recent album: Gentleman (2020, EmArcy)

Tierney Sutton (debut 1997)

Start with: Something Cool (2002, Telarc; CD)

Most recent album: Screen Play (2019, BFM Jazz)

Roseanna Vitro (debut 1984)

Start with: Softly (1993, Concord Jazz; CD)

Most recent album: Song of Bird (2021, Skyline)

Cassandra Wilson (debut 1986)

Start with: Blue Light Til’ Dawn (1993, Blue Note)

Most recent album: Coming Forth by Day (2015, Legacy)

Please enjoy the Our Love Rolls On playlist of tunes by these classic contemporary singers:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0NJ8enayf537CVgZHMCFIT?si=759194a399574708

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