Jazz history has no shortage of heartbreak, addiction and triumph in the face of adversity, but the story of iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday is up there with the most captivating. In this article, we chart the rise and fall of ‘Lady Day’ – as she was often called – through some of her most …
There is a strong case for elevating June Christy into the very top echelon of iconic jazz singers alongside Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. Quite why this has never happened is a mystery, as the evidence to support this claim is readily available in Christy’s recorded legacy. Perhaps because her style was never …
With her light and airy vocals, delicate piano style and famous wit on stage, it’s no wonder that Blossom Dearie was a club favourite – not to mention something of a ‘musician’s musician’. But scratch below the surface and we discover the stories that made up an artist whose place in the history of jazz …
It takes a special type of musician to take a 19th Century nursery rhyme and turn it into one of the hippest, swinging songs of the era. That’s exactly what the legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald did early on in a career which saw countless hits and no fewer than 13 Grammy awards. In this …
Jazz is no stranger to the search for perfection, but sometimes an album comes along that blows everything else out of the water through sheer emotional impact alone. That’s certainly the case with Billie Holiday’s Lady In Satin (1958), which catches both the singers musical genius and deteriorating health little more than a year before …
Jazz history has no shortage of heartbreak, addiction and triumph in the face of adversity, but the story of iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday is up there with the most captivating. In this article, we chart the rise and fall of ‘Lady Day’ – as she was often called – through some of her most …
An iconic performer known for his timeless classics, Sinatra left an indelible mark on the world of music. But while many of his greatest hits come from the Great American Songbook, Frank Sinatra Christmas songs hold a special place in the hearts of many. The crooner’s contribution to the festive season may be undeniable, yet …
Born in 1943 in Canada, Joni Mitchell rose to fame as a groundbreaking singer-songwriter most closely associated with the world of folk music. However, much of her output – particularly in the 1970s – showcases a fascination with jazz, which we’ll dive into in this article. Joni Mitchell’s affinity for jazz was which was sparked …
One of the most famous jazz singers of all time joining forces with Duke Ellington – arguably the most important composer of the 20th Century – had all the hallmarks of an iconic jazz album. It doesn’t disappoint! The year 1956 was an important one for Ella Fitzgerald, and with the benefit of hindsight the …
Born on 1st January 1946, the jazz vocalist and sometime writer was a troubled soul and tragically took her own life at the age of 55. On 19th May 2001 McCorkle jumped from the balcony of her 16th storey apartment in Manhattan. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death and the verdict of suicide was entered. Throughout …