What are the best vocal jazz albums on vinyl?

A strong starting set: "Ella and Louis" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday's "Lady in Satin", Sarah Vaughan's album with Clifford Brown, Frank Sinatra's "In the Wee Small Hours" and Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue". All are available in several reissues.

Mono or stereo for vocal jazz records?

For albums recorded before the late 1950s, mono is often the most faithful version, since stereo was still experimental. For later recordings, stereo is the natural choice. Check the edition details on the product page before buying. Mono reissues are common.

Which label is best for vocal jazz?

Verve, founded by Norman Granz in 1956, is the label most tied to vocal jazz, thanks to Ella Fitzgerald's Song Books. Columbia, Capitol and EmArcy also released major albums. For reissues, Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series and Analogue Productions have a strong reputation.

Who are the best contemporary jazz singers?

Cécile McLorin Salvant and Samara Joy are among the most acclaimed voices on today's scene, along with Gregory Porter. Norah Jones, on the pop-leaning side, remains a popular entry point. Their albums usually come out on vinyl as well. Check each edition's details before buying.

Vocal jazz

Vocal jazz puts the voice front and center, whether it's soft and muted or powerful and expressive. From legendary performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, or Nat King Cole to contemporary singers, each album reveals a unique world.

Subtle arrangements, often supported by small ensembles or large orchestras, enhance each performance.

A true immersion in the pure emotion and timeless charm of jazz singing.

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The Preacher In Paris - Live at The Élysée Montmartre

Vocal Jazz Vinyl: The Great Jazz Singers and the Editions to Pick

What vocal jazz vinyl you will find here

This section gathers vocal jazz vinyl: the singers who turned the Great American Songbook into a lifelong canvas. You will find Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Abbey Lincoln and Helen Merrill, alongside Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Chet Baker, the trumpeter who became a crooner. Many of their finest albums date from the 1950s.

The human voice is probably the most revealing test of a pressing: badly cut sibilance or a worn groove is heard right away. That is why the edition matters as much as the album, and why comparing offers makes sense for this music. A careful pressing makes all the difference with a voice.

Mono, stereo or audiophile reissue?

Many 1950s vocal jazz albums were recorded in mono or in early, experimental stereo, so a mono edition is often the most faithful choice. Verve, founded by Norman Granz in 1956, is the genre's central label, and careful reissue lines such as Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series and Analogue Productions work from analog tapes. For everyday listening, a well-pressed standard reissue is perfectly fine. Period mono pressings can be costly, so reissues are a practical alternative.