Best jazz or blues female vocalist ever

I like Pearl Baley

Gentlemen, Thanks again for all the great responses. I've just ordered two cds... "Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown" circa 1954 Universal Records (Japan) & "No Count Sarah" circa 1958 Mercury (Japan). Both are recent Japanese remasters. I'm looking forward to hearing them. Too bad the Japanese remaster of "At Mr Kelly's" circa 1958 was backordered. I thought that that would be one of her better releases. I plan on buying a few cds every couple weeks. Shirley Horn and Anita O'day are on my short list, among others mentioned. Best wishes, Stan

Nina Simone - Blues
Dinah Washington - Jazz

Enjoy

She's none of the above, but give either of Julia Fordam's first two cd's a try and you'll see why her 19 year old cd Porcelain made Stereophile's "Records to Die For" this year.

Shirley Horn and Etta James get a lot of play here.