Vocal Thrills this Fall

While many talented singers have interpreted the Great American Songbook, the best jazz vocalists combine inimitable voices, impeccable musicianship, improvisational spirits, and the dramatist’s knack for storytelling. This fall, the Festival extends a long tradition presenting the best in vocal jazz with a handful of not-to-be missed shows.

In the tradition of scat queen Ella Fitzgerald, the San Francisco Jazz Festival presents an evening of “Vocal Mastery” on November 10, with Kurt Elling and Nancy King, two of our era’s preeminent jazz vocalists. 

Elling’s latest album, Nightmoves, earned him his eighth straight “Male Vocalist of the Year” honor in the DownBeat Critics Poll. His four-octave baritone is as supple as ever, as are his innovative vocalese treatments of jazz standards like “Body and Soul.”

Nancy King was a regular on the San Francisco and West Coast jazz scene in the ’60s, but she returned to her native Oregon to raise a family. With remarkable scat chops and brilliant accompanist Steve Christofferson, her every performance is a primer on jazz vocals.

Two local singers who have gone on to national acclaim, Jacqui Naylor and Spencer Day continue to represent the Bay Area’s eclectic spirit. The pair, appearing November 3 at Herbst Theatre, also makes a strong case for the future of vocal jazz.

Naylor creates her trademark sound, “acoustic smashing,” by combining jazz standards and rock tunes. The thrilling result is music that takes the best of both forms. Naylor’s new album, the cheekily titled Smashed for the Holidays, was released this fall on her own Ruby Star Records label and showcases her smashing technique on five of the 13 numbers—including a rousing rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" matched with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama."

Another singer/songwriter with a yen for experimentation, Spencer Day brings not only a respect for standards to the bandstand and recording studio but also a pathos-filled understanding of the sentiment that drives the lyrics. Once dubbed SF Weekly's "Crooner of the Year" Day has expanded his repertoire with self-penned songs that combine classic and cool with envious ease.