When it comes to jazz, incredible female singers are not hard to find. But where do you start your search for female jazz songs? Whether you are looking for some jazz songs to learn to sing or simply searching for some female music inspiration, keep reading as voice instructor Molly R. lists some of the top vocal jazz standards that are sure to get your foot tapping and your soul singing.
As a voice teacher, one of the genres I am consistently suggesting students try is jazz singing. Why? One reason is that learning a jazz standard really helps you grow stronger with your vocal phrasing. It’s also great for singers because it allows for more freedom in your musicianship: you can play more with tempo, try some scat, and so on. What’s more, jazz music is just plain fun to listen to and sing along.
So without further ado, here are some of the best female jazz songs you can learn how to sing!
Who is a Famous Female Jazz Singer?
As you begin your search for the best jazz songs for female singers, it might help to consider the legends you should be looking up to. Some of the most famous female jazz singers are:
- Ella Fitzgerald: renowned American jazz singer, “First Lady of Song”, and winner of fourteen Grammy awards.
- Billie Holiday: an iconic figure in jazz music and one of the most influential vocalists of the 1920s and 1930s.
- Sarah Vaughan: American jazz vocalist acclaimed for her improvisational techniques and a wide range of vocal expressiveness.
- Diana Krall: Canadian jazz musician, pianist, and singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards throughout her career.
- Nina Simone: celebrated musician, pianist, and civil rights activist known for classics like “Feeling Good” and “My Baby Just Cares For Me”.
Ready to join this list of legends? Learning some of the best jazz songs for females will help you get started, but to be truly successful in your journey, you need the help of a professional. Consider signing up for singing lessons – and get an idea of what you’ll cover in your lessons by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqdwhVX9TI
Why Consider Jazz Songs for Females?
It’s no secret that some of the best musicians on the planet are jazz players. That’s because unlike most pop or folk tunes, jazz makes use of the entire range of musical colors. Even relatively simple jazz tunes can challenge your ear and bring you on a wild journey, while serving as platforms for jazz players to improvise upon. Once you are familiar with the jazz vocabulary, a sense of freedom opens that is unlike any other genre.
Please don’t think that jazz is best suited for low, smoky voices, though! For example, opera diva Renee Fleming, a soprano singer, is a huge fan of jazz. In fact, she made money performing jazz at night while studying classical voice during the day as a young singer. Jazz can sound great with any type of voice, as long as the vocal skills are strong!All it takes is a little practice and a lot of determination to master some of the best jazz songs around.
Because there are so many amazing female jazz songs out there, it’s high time that you familiarize yourself with them. Whether you want to learn some new tunes to sing for yourself or simply listen to some of the greatest female jazz performers, we have you covered.
So ladies, read on for my suggestions on the most popular jazz songs to sing. From raw and bluesy to strong and powerful, these songs are sung by some of the best female jazz singers of all time, including Ella Fitzgerald, Bille Holiday, and Peggy Lee.
And remember, all of these songs have been sung in every imaginable key — this is by far one of the most customizable of musical genres out there. If one of these recordings is outside of your range, don’t hesitate to change the key! Experiment with these female jazz songs and, most importantly, have some fun with them.
Popular Jazz Songs for Females
So ladies, read on for my suggestions on the most popular jazz songs to sing. From raw and bluesy to strong and powerful, these songs are sung by some of the best female jazz singers of all time, including Ella Fitzgerald, Bille Holiday, and Peggy Lee.
And remember, all of these songs have been sung in every imaginable key — this is by far one of the most customizable of musical genres out there. If one of these recordings is outside of your range, don’t hesitate to change the key! Experiment with these female jazz songs and, most importantly, have some fun with them.
1) “’Round Midnight”
This sultry and mysterious tune was written by the great Thelonious Monk. Contraltos will really shine with this piece! Here, we see the legendary Ella Fitzgerald with her interpretation. Whether you belt out this incredible jazz song in your car alone or on stage for an audience, you’re sure to have a good time with this one.
2) “The Man I Love”
There have been many fantastic renditions of this simple but heartfelt song written by the Gershwins, but this version by Lena Horne is particularly inspiring! Learn to sing this female jazz song and you will blow everyone away.
3) “Why Don’t You Do Right?”
Perhaps the most memorable performance of this jazz song was done by a cartoon (Jessica Rabbit in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”), but the legendary Peggy Lee gives it a three-dimensional sass in this video! Get theatrical, channel your best Jessica Rabbit, and give this jazzy tune a whirl.
4) “Crazy He Calls Me”
This charming 1949 classic is great pick for a singer who really wants to show off her strong middle range. Here, the fabulous Billie Holiday owns the song in her own way. When it comes to the best blues songs for women, you can’t go wrong with Billie Holiday.
5) “The Man That Got Away”
Do you want a jazz ballad with some serious pain in it? Well, this song will do the trick! We all know this as one of Judy Garland’s big hits, but part of the fun of being a singer is seeing what YOU can do, even when you’re singing a cover song. Sing your rendition of this hit. Just don’t be surprised if your audience gets emotional.
6) “Summertime”
Those Gershwins sure could write a memorable jazz tune! Although originally an aria in an opera (“Porgy and Bess”), most of us know this as a laid-back jazz song sung in a lower key. Here, modern day jazz chanteuse Norah Jones sings her rendition. This is one of the best female blues songs.
7) “Autumn Leaves”
Talk about haunting and gorgeous! This song may be short, but it’s so fun to sing. Here is proof that all voices can sing jazz: the Wagnerian soprano Helen Traubel sounds just as fabulous singing this as she does opera. Experiment with this tune, and you’ll be officially hooked on female jazz songs.
8) “Come Rain or Come Shine”
This mid-tempo standard has attitude AND heart in it. Here is yet another opera diva and jazz singer, Eileen Farrell, really selling it. Practice this song and give it your own spin and personality.
9) “Send in the Clowns”
Yes, technically it’s another musical theatre piece, but many theatre songs have turned into standards that are fit for a jazz club! This is definitely one of them. Take a listen to see what Sarah Vaughn does with the vocal line and tempo here to make it more jazzy.
10) “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Simple, sweet, and we all know it and love it! This is a marvelous song for beginners of all ages. Here, listen to the late, great Amy Winehouse giving it plenty of heart. This song just goes to prove that simple doesn’t necessarily mean boring.
11) “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”
There’s a good chance you’re already familiar with this catchy tune. Marilyn’s performance may be truly iconic, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have fun with this song — and it’s all about the fun factor. Here is the great Julie London, NOT Marilyn, singing it.
12) “Black Coffee”
It’s jazz, but with really blues-y lyrics! This is a rainy day jazz classic that’s good for showing off your vocal range. Here, Sarah Vaughn gives it the perfect amount of emotion. When it comes to blues songs for women, this one definitely deserves a spot on your list.
13) “I’ve Got a Crush on You”
Flirtatious without being over the top, this is a wonderful jazz song for females that’s hardly overdone! In the video above, the versatile vocalist Linda Ronstadt sings it soulfully and beautifully. Take a stab at this number, and it just may wind up being one of your favorite jazz songs to sing.
14) “Take the A Train”
This one is best left for jazz singers with a bit more experience, as you REALLY must know how to scat to sell this swinging number! Here’s one of the best scat singers of all time, Ella Fitzgerald, thrilling us with one of her best jazz standard vocal performances. Once you master this song, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.
15) “Cry Me a River”
This very dramatic tune would be an excellent closer! Like with all jazz songs, it’s all a matter of what you choose to do with the tempo and the words. Here, modern-day jazz diva Diana Krall gives a lovely rendition.
Even More Best Jazz Songs to Sing: Female Options Listed Out By Category
Jazz music is rich with vocal traditions and offers a variety of styles to choose from. If the list of female jazz songs from above didn’t do the trick for you, don’t worry.
Here are even more of the best female jazz songs to consider, broken down by category so it’s easy for you to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Jazz Christmas Songs Female Top Picks
The holiday season is a perfect time to add some jazz Christmas songs to your playlist.
As a female singer, you can try “Let It Snow” by Ella Fitzgerald or “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Diana Ross. These classics have a swingin’ rhythm that puts you in a festive mood and keeps the holiday spirit alive.
Best Female Jazz Songs as Duets
If you want to perform jazz as a duet, “Fever” by Peggy Lee and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” by Duke Ellington are excellent options. These songs have a sizzling chemistry and interplay between the two singers that creates a magical performance. They are an ideal choice for two female singers to showcase their vocal talent and jazzy flair.
Classic Female Jazz Songs
Some classic female jazz songs that never go out of style are “God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday and “Lullaby of Birdland” by Sarah Vaughan. These timeless tunes are simply iconic and allow female singers to showcase their soulful voice.
Upbeat Female Jazz Songs
If you are looking for a more upbeat number, “Sing Sing Sing” by Benny Goodman or “A Tisket A Tasket” by Ella Fitzgerald could be your go-to songs. These numbers have a blazing tempo and offer a chance for female singers to showcase their energy and enthusiasm.
Best Female Jazz Karaoke Songs
For karaoke nights, some of the best female jazz songs to belt out are “At Last” by Etta James, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “Fever” by Peggy Lee. These songs have a catchy melody and easy-to-sing lyrics that make your karaoke experience all the more fun.
Easy Jazz Songs to Sing: Female Contemporary Singers
If you’re looking for an easy jazz song to sing, “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones and “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone are great options. These contemporary jazz numbers have a soothing melody and allow female singers to channel their inner diva effortlessly.
Female Solo Jazz Songs That Are Sad
For those somber moods, “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday or “Good Morning Heartache” by Etta James are the perfect choices. These sad jazz songs have a haunting melody and tear-jerking lyrics that touch the soul of the listener and performer alike.
The Best Jazz Songs to Sing: Female Singers, You Have Plenty of Options!
These are just 15 of the many popular jazz and blues songs for female vocalists. There are countless variations of the genre that are worth also exploring, including Latin jazz songs for females. If you can sing jazz like these ladies can, pretty much any pop tune will be a piece of cake, so rest assured that you’re building your musical skills in a versatile way when you work on these tunes.
Every jazz musician learns this musical language by listening to and imitating those that came before them. After learning the vocal lines of the greats, you can go on to create your own melodies and improvisations. Put your own spin on these female blue songs and infuse them with some fresh personality. YouTube is a treasure trove of jazz performances that you can always come back to when you need some inspiration!
While videos and books are a great resource, by far the best way to build up your jazz standard vocal skills is with private voice lessons. A teacher can help you develop proper posture and vocal technique, while revealing the secrets of the great singers that we listened to today. Online vocal lessons make it possible to maximize the potential of your voice, no matter where you are! You can sign on and start practicing with a private instructor anywhere you have internet access. It’s never been easier to expand your music skills.
Have fun exploring the infinite potential of jazz, and I look forward to hearing the next female jazz vocal star!
Do you have another favorite female jazz vocal tune? Let us know in the comments below!
Post Author: Molly R.Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly here!
Molly R.