Today we talk about jazz.

The book "Jazz Singing and Improvisation - Investigation of the male voice" analyzes some types of voices that are expressed in this genre but before opening the cover and discovering it, let's do a little test: think of the first names of Jazz singers that come to your mind, in the most likely you will find yourself thinking mainly of female voices.
In Jazz, of course, there are also very interesting male voices and for this reason the volume that I recommend today - unique in its kind - specifically analyzes six singers: Chet Baker, Matt Murphy, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Bobby McFerrin and Kurt Elling.

 

The author Giorgio Rossini, active as a singer, guitarist and teacher, graduated in Jazz singing with full marks at the Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali of Livorno, on guitar at the conservatory of Mantua and in music education at the Istituto Superiore di Modena, in my way, sees its intent: to make an accurate investigation for each of the six voices mentioned above, it deepens the vocality, the style, the rhythmic analysis, the "scat" vocabulary used and the melody.

For each item - after having 'praised' its style, background and stylistic preferences - one or more pieces are taken as an example and, with the help of specially made schemes / tables, it shows us - even with percentage values! - the various types of melodic intervals used for the song, the rhythmic values ​​and the vocal range. Everything is supported by the transcription of the score that helps to follow the study and listening.
The book is completed by an excellent and useful glossary referring to the terms of vocal anatomy and a practical vocabulary scat from A to Z with examples of pronunciation to sing the syllables at best.

 

In conclusion, I found the reading really interesting and full of new ideas to work on both for a Jazz singing class and for personal study. The idea of ​​taking these great masters of the voice and examining them note by note is original. I hope that this format will be extended to other volumes - why not also in other genres - given that the analysis of the voice is often neglected.
I recommend it to singing teachers but also to students who, approaching this genre for the first time, want to know more.

 

Roberto Rossetti, Vocal Coach / Music Therapist