5 Female Vocalists Who Deserve to Be Better Known

I recently stumbled upon a great list of lesser-known female jazz vocalists on Amazon.com, compiled by Gary L. Connely. Gary lists 40 albums featuring singers who are not exactly household names, even though they have plenty of talent.

After listening to several of these vocalists on You Tube, iTunes, and other spots, I can assure you that they are well worth your consideration. Here are five that I found to be particularly good.

Jeri Brown is a Canadian-born singer with a very wide (four-octave) vocal range and expressive interpretations of lyrics. She has an intimate, sensual sound and is also a tremendous scat singer.

• Unfolding the Peacocks includes her beautiful scat interplay with the flute on "The Peacocks." (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• A Timeless Place is a quieter, more introspective album in which she sings nine compositions of Jimmy Rowles, who accompanies her on the piano. The title cut is particularly haunting. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Nicole Henry was born in Philadelphia and toured the U.S. as a background vocalist with RCA band, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. She discovered jazz while singing in Miami Beach and received a good bit of recognition for her first album, The Nearness of You. She has a soulful, passionate sound that borders on R&B.

• The Nearness of You, Henry's first album, is in many ways her best. There are a number of standards here — "Summertime," "Old Black Magic," "Over the Rainbow" — and Henry spices up each one just enough. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• The Very Thought of You is her latest album. A nice mix of standards — "Almost Like Being in Love" — and original songs that feature her swinging, sultry voice. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Carmen Lundy is a refined singer who also composes, paints, and acts. Her singing is refined and open to influences from R&B and pop. Her voice is especially attractive when she hits the low notes.

• Self Portrait features six of Lundy's own compositions and shows off her ability to improvise while paying close attention to the mood of the song. (Buy at Amazon.com.)
  
• Jazz and the New Songbook: Live at the Madrid is a sensuous and seductive album that features 18 of her original compositions. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Robin McKelle grew up in Rochester, New York, and took third place in the 2004 Thelonious Monk Vocal Jazz Competition. Her rich alto voice can range from sophisticated and mellow to bold and brassy.

• Introducing Robin McKelle is mostly 1940s big band jazz with lots of brass and lots of swing, but McKelle does throw in a salsa rendition of "Bei Mir Bis Du Schon" that is unforgettable. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• Mess Around is entirely different from the previously mentioned album, with a lot more R&B and an unbelievable version of the Bee Gees' "Lonely Nights." (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Jaimee Paul is a Nashville-based singer with a sensual, "smoky" alto voice who is capable of unbelievable runs. Her bittersweet, intimate sound provides a fresh take on several familiar pieces.

• At Last is her major label debut, and her lush voice is a real joy to listen to. Her take on some major standards — "Cry Me a River," "Fever," and "Stormy Weather" — is nothing short of impressive. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• Melancholy Baby features tributes to Billie Holiday, Etta James, and Nina Simone, among others, all sung in Paul's beautiful, powerhouse style. (Buy at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Robert