I have been thinking to myself "Why are people recommending non-Jazz female singers?" I just realized the request was for female singers in general, not just Jazz. Duh!
Some of my faves have already been mentioned (Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline, Shelby Lynne, Alison Krauss, Rosanne Cash, etc.), others haven’t. They include:
- Iris DeMent (Traditional Country/Bluegrass).
- Julie Miller (Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Christian).
- Sam Phillips (Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Christian).
- Mary Gauthier (Singer/Songwriter, Folk).
- Lou Ann Barton (Blues, R & B).
- Darlene Love (Soul, R & B, Pop).
- Joan Osborne (R & B, Pop).
- Kasey Chambers (Trad. Country).
- Dolly Parton (Trad. Country, Bluegrass).
- Tammy Wynette (Trad. Country).
- Loretta Lynn (Trad. Country).
- Carlene Carter (Rock ’n’ Roll, Trad. Country).
- Mavis Staples (Soul, R & B, Gospel).
- Bonnie Raitt (Blues, R & B).
- Wanda Jackson (Rockabilly).
- Brenda Lee (Rock ’n’ Roll, Rockabilly, Pop).
- Patty Loveless (Trad. Country, Bluegrass).
- June Carter (Trad. Country).
- Maryann Price (Dan Hicks, The Kinks, Asleep At The Wheel).
There are dozens more, but that’s enough for starters ;-) .