Vocal Jazz

An approach to jazz where the human voice is the primary focus, evolving from early blues and big band vocalists into a distinct art form. Vocal Jazz is defined by the expressive interpretation of a melody and lyric, where singers like *Louis Armstrong* and *Billie Holiday* established the voice as an improvising instrument co-equal to any horn. It centers on personal phrasing, timbre, and emotional delivery, often utilizing techniques like scat singing or vocalese. Ranging from solo singers fronting small combos to complex vocal groups, the genre codified a significant portion of the Great American Songbook and remains a cornerstone of vocal performance pedagogy.