A jazz singer does not have to have a perfect voice. The feeling and the musical style are more important. Vocal imperfections can even be a plus, as it makes the singer memorable, like Louis Armstrong’s rough voice. “Scatting,” or improvising with nonsense syllables, is an important skill. These are the big names you should be familiar with in the world of jazz. (Some have also sung in musicals.)

• Louis Armstrong (1901-1971)
• Cab Calloway (1907-1994))
• Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996)
• Nina Simone (1933-2003)
• Ethel Waters (1896-1977)
• Della Reese (1931-    )
• Bing Crosby (1903-1977)
• Dinah Washington (1924-1963)
• Jane Monheit (1977-    )
• Billie Holiday (1915-1959)
• Judy Garland (1922-1969)
• Sara Vaughan (1924-1990)
• Bobby McFerrin (1950-    )
• Nat King Cole (1919-1965)
• Mel Torme (1925-1999)
• Frank Sinatra (1915-1998)
• Diana Krall (1964-    )
• Lena Horne (1917-2010)
• Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002)