As a jazz pianist and vocalist, I often get asked for listening lists. There is so much great music out there that it can be hard to know where to start! This article was requested by several of my newsletter subscribers: Solo Jazz Piano and Vocals - a Curated List.
Carman McRae - I'm In the Mood for Love
Nearly every singer I know names Carmen McRae as their favorite singer of all time (Ask around - it's true!). A lot of people don't know that she was actually an excellent pianist too. She would often sit down at the piano and sing and play a solo number during her sets. Here is a gorgeous one!
Sarah Vaughan - Body and Soul
Sarah Vaughan was a virtuoso singer, but did you know she was actually an accomplished pianist as well? I am always blown away by what she is able to do at the keyboard - so inspiring!
The recording is particularly fun to watch, because the stage manager forgot to put out a boom microphone stand for her. Watch what his solution is!
Bob Dorough - My Hero Zero
Bob Dorough made his name writing songs for Schoolhouse Rock, but did you know that he was a wonderful jazz pianist and vocalist too? He lived for years out in the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania and would often hang out at gigs and the local music festivals. He came out to several of my gigs out at the Deer Head Inn and had to have been one of the nicest people I've ever met.
Check out his recording of My Hero Zero!
Fred Hersch is an absolute wizard at the piano and may be my favorite living jazz pianist. He plays solo piano like nobody I know. (He is one of my biggest influences for sure!). This recording is from a live album he did with West Coast jazz singer Nancy King. Nancy is unlike any other singer out there - she sings like a horn!
This recording was made live at the now-defunct Jazz Standard and I was actually in the audience the night it was recorded!
Brenda Earle Stokes - Strange Meadowlark
I couldn't pass up the chance to share a recording that I did back in 2019 on my Solo Sessions Volume 1 album. Believe it or not, after years of playing hundreds of solo gigs, I had never actually made a recording of just me. We recorded this entire album in four hours in my hometown of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. I couldn't resist including this gorgeous tune by Dave and Iola Brubeck.
George Shearing and Carmen McRae - Gentleman Friend
Nearly every singer I know names Carmen McRae as their favorite singer of all time (Ask around - it's true!). A lot of people don't know that she was actually an excellent pianist too. She would often sit down at the piano and sing and play a solo number during her sets. Here is a gorgeous one!
Norma Winstone and John Taylor - Lazy Afternoon
This recording of British jazz singer Norma Winstone and British jazz pianist John Taylor is going to blow your mind a little. These two ECM all-stars always bring rich delights and this recording is mesmerizing to listing to. All those sounds you hear? That's John playing INSIDE the piano!
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Harry Connick, Jr and Dr John - Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?
I have always loved this recording of Harry and Dr. John. This came out on his "21" album, when he was only, you-guessed-it, twenty one years old. I couldn't resist sharing this recording of Harry singing Do You KNow What It Means to Miss New Orleans with New Orleans legend Dr. John. So swinging!
Diana Krall - Did You Ever See a Dream?
Diana Krall is best know for her trio work, so I was happy to stumble on this cool recording of her playing stride piano. I play like this all time and it is as fun to play as it is to listen to!
Dave Frishberg - You Are There
Dave Frishberg may not be a name you know, but he truly is a treasure. He writes hilarious songs - he wrote My Attorney Bernie and I'm Hip - but I chose my favorite of his ballads to share with you. I love this song so much, that I wrote a choral arrangement of it. Brings the tears every time!
Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson - Mean to Me
Oscar Peterson was the reason I started playing jazz, so I knew I had to close out the list with this one. He did an amazing recording with Ella and this is one of the duets they did. It is a perfect recording in my opinion.
What was your favorite in this list? Which artists/albums/songs should I include in my next list?
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