Male Jazz singers - any recommendations?

John Pizzarelli - does the classic pop songs (has an entire album devoted to Nat King Cole) - simple, smooth and enjoyable

John Feinstein - classic broadway musical stuff and the like - the real "classics" elegantly done.

Les McCann - earthy, jazzy stuff with more rhythmic drive.

Michael Franks - a little more personal, intellectual stuff, but has a nice pleasant voice and good arrangements.

I will post again but hve to second the first reccomndation with Hartman.The Coltrane LP and "I just dropped by to say hello" are the best.If folks know his stuff and dig it find Clint Eastwoods "Remebring Madison County" and the first "Madison County" soundtracks.The "Remembering" is almost all Hartman iwth two Ahamad Jamal piano numbers fo kicks.The "Music from Madison Co." has two Hartman cuts's,Dina Washinton et al.Another good sountrack before I forget is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".Torme?The male Ella fitzgerald.His best?"Mel Torme Sings the Fred Astaire Songbook" with Marty Paich.If you have choice of CD or Lp with either Billy May or Marty Paich vs some other conductor /arranger even good one's like Nelson Riddle or Frany DeVol go with the 10 piece units without strings of Paich or May.Except for Sinatra where Riddle is best (though Frank wasn't a a jaz singer per say).Late non-rock Bobby Darrin is exelent if I am gonna talk Frank.And if it's Rat Pack thn the one Sammy davis Jr' Cd/Lp to have is "The Wham of Sam".Forget "The Candyman" and all that C&W schlock.This LP alone he could rest his laurels on.But I digress.Will come up with some more.Lastly have to disagree with the above choice of Jimmy Smith.There was a singer who never should have had a comeback.Get earlier stuff like the Rhino LP "Lost and Found"My additional list will have a numeber of older singers as there aren't very many cats under 60 worth there salt.Yeah Connick and Pizzarelli but they ain't Franb or Mel.If anbody knew and liked the hipness of Mark Murphy than Kurt Elling may be your cup of Tea.Really like the last years "The Mesenger".Some of it's to cute but his rendition of "You don't know what love is" is worth the price of admssion alone.Geez finally a 'Gon topic I know a little bit about (I ran the jazz section of a CD store for 5 years).I'll be back with more

I only know a handful of his performances, so can anyone recommend any Billy Eckstein recordings? The same goes for Leon Thomas.

Chazzbo is right, Kurt Elling can be a little too cute, but I've seen him live a half dozen times and know how good he really is. The records only hint at his true inventiveness and risk taking. He extends himself and sometimes it works and somethimes it works less well. Also, Jimmy Scott is an acquired taste. You'll either love him or wonder out loud what the fuss is about.

Most of the greats have been mentioned -- Chazzbo has some good suggestions for you. One of the younger singers that hasn't been mentioned is Kevin Mahogany. Some of his covers, to my ears, are flat out great. Also, for you younger guys, if you want something soothing / seductive to play in the jazz area when you have a date over, Kevin Mahogany is just fine.

Yes Mohogany is pretty good (see him in the great docmentary film "Remebering Kansas City" that Altman did when he made that crummy movie based there.But he has guys like Joshua Redman dressed up as Prez having another guy dreesed as The Hawk haveiung cutting contests.Ron carter,Syrus Chessnut,Geri Adams,etc=it's fun-hey maybe I should start a thread on jazz movies-best ever was Bert Sterns "Jazz on a Summers Day"-0reason to buy a DVD player if there ever was one).But the problem with Mohogany is again the prior genration had DEEP blues Shouters like Jimmy Rushing or the man who replaved him in Basies band (the hardest swinging swing band ever!) Joe Williams.Mahogany might be Ok 'cause he's here,young,and you can see hi-but buy "count Basie Swings Joe Williams Sings" and tell me Mahogany could even carry Joe's water bucket.Bookend CD/Lp's would be that one which is blues and another called "The Greatest" where Williams sings more standards-Yowza!!!!!!!!!!Hey while I am parked hear I am not sure if anybody metioned Chet.Not everybodys cup of Tea.You love him or hate him.Put him in the former categorie for me.Like Jimmy Smith very androgenous.I think maybe after Sinatra and Johnny Mathis maybe more guys (and gals) have scored to his singing than anybody.And that doesen't even touch his trumpet playing which was a 50's senation with the Gerry Mulligan piano-less Quartet.Reccomnded "The Best Of Chet Baker Sings" Pacific/Capitol (Picture of him at a piano) and "Bakers Holiday" which is from late 60's just before he got his teeth knocked out.Great Coronet playing and tune selection on that one.More as time permits..........