Live Vocal Jazz

A recent request from the brilliant composer/conductor David Von Kampen in the Facebook Vocal Jazz Educators group sent me down a rabbit hole, so I’m sharing the request and my answer here.

My group is done singing for the semester and I’m planning a class day to just show them great vocal jazz videos. Post your favorites and I’ll add them to my list.

CRITERIA:

  • groups preferred, but I’ll show some solo singers as well
  • real live singing only, absolutely no lip-syncing/music videos
  • professional, school groups, whatever, are all good, as long as it’s GREAT SINGING
  • any style/flavor, as long as it can loosely be considered ‘vocal jazz’
  • concerts are fine, also informal videos from rehearsals or anywhere else!

I ended up with two playlists. One from the pros and one from academic groups. Enjoy!

(Note: I limited to one song per group; could have picked many different options!)

Professional Groups

Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross – Every Day (with Joe Williams)

The Hi-Lo’s – My Sugar Is So Refined

Four Freshmen – Day By Day

Manhattan Transfer – Four Brothers

Bobby McFerrin & Gimme5 – Circle Songs

Take 6 – Get Away Jordan

The Real Group – Pass Me The Jazz

New York Voices – Caravan

Rajaton – Butterfly

Voces8 – Straighten Up & Fly Right

Säje – Evergreen

Academic Groups

UNT Jazz Singers – Tangerine

WMU Gold Company – Every Day I Have The Blues (with Kurt Elling)

University of Miami Extensions – Little Black Spider

CSULB Pacific Standard Time – Summertime

GRCC Shades of Blue – I Will

Folsom High School Jazz Choir – Still Crazy After All These Years

SWCC First Take – Bon Voyage Concert (your choice of tunes)

Indiana University VJE 1 – Giant Steps