Vocal jazz is a type of music sung to imitate the sounds of other instruments, or improvise existing lyrics. Presently, it is often performed A cappella, though a rhythm section may be used. Refer to http://www.a-cappella.com/ for samples.

Mathew Bahl writes his thoughts on vocal jazz in the following reading.

"There have been as many variations on the definition of vocal jazz as there have been people with opinions. Over the years, the consensus within the jazz community has shifted frequently as critics and fans have wrestled with the often-competing imperatives of improvisation and interpretation. For some people, vocal jazz should be exactly that - voices improvising solos in the manner of jazz instrumentalists. For others, that view disregards a singer's unique relationship to lyrics."

At the turn of the 21st century, most jazz fans have come to accept a broad definition of vocal jazz. While the improvisers will always occupy the vanguard of this music, singers with more of an interpretive approach to their material have also found a home in the jazz community. Still, however expansive the idea of vocal jazz has become, there are identifiable traits that make this a unique art form. Those qualities include the ability to swing, the ability to interact in a creative and musical way with improvising musicians, and the ability to transform quality songs into something distinctive and personal.

The vocal jazz tradition extends back to the early decades of the 20th century. Jazz singing was the last of four interdependent American musical ideas to develop (the others being instrumental jazz, the blues, and Tin Pan Alley songwriting). Almost from the very beginning, vocal jazz incorporated a wide variety of stylistic devices and approaches. Of course, these early singers were not really trying to do anything more than earn a living. Yet, through their innate creativity and commitment to self-improvement, they managed to elevate a form of entertainment to the level of art. What makes that achievement so remarkable is that these early singers were making up the rules as they went along.

Many of the early vocal jazz legends remain relatively unknown to today's fans. Like film buffs that avoid black and white movies, jazz aficionados that allow themselves to be scared off by the at-times poor quality audio of some of these early recordings are missing a wealth of great music.

Vocal Jazz Column 21st Century Voices by Mathew Bahl

*Needed: Names of musical tools mainly used in Vocal Jazz, as well as types of Vocal Jazz.*