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Did I read too quickly or did no one mention Diana Krall? Diana is the only
for real jazz singer I've seen, or heard, come down the pike in many
years. A couple of evenings ago I listened again to her CD "The Look
Of Love" and it blew me away as it always does. This led me to
watch her concert in Paris DVD with John Pisano on guitar and backed
by a terrific jazz combo, orchestra and a full string section. (Jeff Hamilton
on drums from his great Canadian big band where he teams with Diana's
bass player whose name unfortunately escapes me at the moment. Fine
group.)

Diana's version of the Anita O'Day classic "Maybe You'll Be There"
is a real keeper and highly rated on my all-time female singers
tracks. This song is one of the most overlooked jewels of all-time
and that's a pity. Sounds like a Matt Dennis, Tom Adair song but
I can't remember the composer...sorry. Should be one of the most
recorded ever. Check it out on "Look Of Love" by Diana. (Diana's
work as a jazz pianist is marvelous. It's great to hear a lovely lady
who can play with any of the guys. ...married, of course to
Elvis Krall, aka Elvis Costello.

Another singer I've loved since the sixties is Ruth Price who I first
saw with Harry James back then. Ruthie now owns and runs The Jazz
Bakery in the Los Angeles area (owns is a little inaccurate as she
established it as a non-profit gift to the local jazz scene). She recorded
with virtually every major jazz artist of the past century and yet her
name rarely comes up which is a shame. I hope others will seek out
some of her many recordings (man, she's been prolific) and check her out.
She's now around 70 years and still active on the scene as of last week.

My all time favorites, naturally, include many of the names already
listed above, in this thread. Ella is my favorite with Billie coming up
right behind. Lester Young nicknamed the two ladies "Lady Time (Ella)," and
of course, "Lady Day" for Billie. Ella's "songbook" series of American
composers represents one of the highlights of American popular culture.

Anita O'Day has been a favorite since I first saw her for a guest
appearance with Stan Kenton, at Balboa, in 1957. The lady could sing
and continued until last year with her passing at close to 90 (is that right?).

I'm rushed at the moment but let me share a couple of other great names.

Jackie Cain who teamed with husband Roy Kral to become the dynamic duo
of Batman and....whoops, Jackie and Roy awaaay back. I'm first aware of
Jackie (and Roy) from their recordings with Charlie Ventura's bebop
group of the late forties ("America's Number One Bebop Band" as voted by Billboard magazine...Conte Candoli on trumpet and Ed Shaunessy on drums among others). I saw them in concert in the late fifties when they
opened for the Ted Heath Orchestra (from England) on his first American tour.
It was the first time I heard the classic Fran Lansman, Tommy Wolfe song
"Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most." Just knocked me out.

Another wonderful singer was Annie Ross of the famed Lambert, Hendricks and Ross Trio of the fifties and sixties. Annie did a lot of solo work and her
collection of tunes from "Gypsy" remains a favorite of mine, with Buddy
Bregman arranging and conducting, if my memory isn't completely gone. Man, was I lucky to be on hand at The Crescendo on the Sunset Strip around 1959 when L. H. & Ross took the stage with the Count Basie orchestra with Big Joe Williams, the George Shearing quintet with Armando Perez on conga, and Bobby Troup coming up out of the audience...Bobby's wife Julie London demurred but looked gorgeous in a white evening gown. Shearing commented that he'd always wanted to play with Basie and as they were on the bill together he did. Shearing just said, "Why don't we do the blues in B?" and the whole bunch jammed for
probably twenty minutes. DyNOmite!

And, let us not forget the perfectly charming and wonderful Blossom Dearie!
Wow! If you're not familiar with Blossom you've been missing out for much
too long. Check this lady out, fer shure.

Almost left out Cleo Laine from England. Married to bandleader Johnny
Dankworth she did a ton of albums with John and is worth finding.
Her CD of classic poetry set to jazz phrases and changes with combo
is unreal. Shakespeare meets Ellington! Waay cool.

Naturally, Sarah, Dinah and the rest but I'm out of time...oh, don't forget the
legendary early work of Bessie Smith, Mildred Bailey, Ethel Waters and the
giants from their period. Helen Forrest, Doris Day, JoAnne Greer, and so many
out of the big bands. Let me think about this thread for a day or so.

Joe