Vocal Jazz and Classic Crooners: The Men and Music that defined the charm of an era..

The Rat-Pack (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr 

and Frank Sinatra)

Who do you consider the best singer, well pop singer, vocalist, etc of our times? Michael Buble? Josh Groban? Bono? Those boys in Il Divo? Masters they may be, but legends? That’s yet to be decided.

This post discusses a genre of great sense of emotion and one that imbibes serenity of each human emotion in such a fluid way, that it is quite incomprehensible as to how such simplicity can evoke such grandeur and majesty. Class is what it is.

The dawn of this sweet style came about when breakthrough innovations such as the microphone (1920's) and radio came along, and broadcasting one's voice didn't have to be as arduous as it had been till then.Vocalists and bands actually belted out like tenors and opera musicians before the on-set of such technological marvels. The effect nonetheless was operatic as intended; it gave lesser room for variety and fresh innovative spice to be brought into play. Broadcasting gave way to the artists to actually not stress so much into loud and opera driven style but introduce subtlety and elements of elegance and virtuosity that could come about with a change of musical pace and structure. The vocal change was from tenor to baritone. Classic R&B artists like Barry White introduced further depth by bringing about a greater amount bass in their baritone to give it more raspiness(*sorry but that’s the best made up adjective I could find) in the 70's. Where as the instrumentalists could create more diverse timings and tones with the trumpets, clarinets, cello, classical bass, saxophones etc. just like jazz

(Dean Martin aka. the King of Cool.

A true variety entertainer)

Now first of all the name of the genre for the legends and style of music discussed in this post is often clashing. Some prefer calling it Vocal jazz, some prefer Adult contemporary, Traditional pop, Classic pop, Swing. But in my opinion, somehow, I feel the term vocal Jazz holds the most credibility in terms of genre definition. It clearly and quite simply puts out what one can expect from such a genre. The Vocal mastery brings out the earthy essence of human sensibility,imperfection and a time in human existence where 'beat' wasn't something that 'goes on’. But it was melody that was flowing like a quite river while you sat by the banks. The Big Band musicians backing the vocalists are just as much an integral part of the songs. The vocalist is the source of richness whereas the musicians provide the required depth for that richness to manifest into a living being that conveys everything the words mean with a melody and music that can only be likened to the language the heart speaks when it doesn't have any words left anymore to describe it.

As livid and smooth that description about the style may seem, the road to mainstream dominance wasn't a simple one. Ironically, just like Rock, Heavy metal, Grunge, Psychedelic movement of music had staunch opposition when they started out; with people outlining the genre's as crass, disrespectful and mentally corrupting, well, vocal jazz had the same beginnings!! Can you believe it? How can something so blissful and simply innocent of blemish be so harshly criticized? They were socio-cast as punks! For a while, broad-mindedly one can see as to why the other mentioned genre's could've been criticized, called defiling and looked down upon, but the same treatment to a genre so uncorrupt was something according to me at least is still befuddling. The movement nearly died because of media criticism before it came back and took center stage in all forms of showbiz; from radio to cinema to Broadway and Vegas. 

Perry Como(The most human of 

all the performers in terms of persona)

And so brilliantly did it shine when that time came about. It changed the way a ballad was supposed to be sung and felt; it was the bedrock on which the whole genre of Swing was built.

If anyone deserved to be called major stars in four areas of show business: concert stage/night clubs, recordings, motion pictures, and television, it is these guys.Crooners like, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby won Oscars in their times! Dean Martin along with his partner Jerry Lewis still stand as the most endearing and down right classy icons of stand up comedy. Perry Como produced numerous hit records with record sales so high the label literally stopped counting at Como's behest. These guys were showbiz whales. No single group of artists had such a deep influence on all the platforms of media and entertainment as these ''Crooners''.The term , according to some seems quite disrespectful , but frankly , it conveys their emotional state behind each song when you begin to indulge your musical palate with this genre. They took song, music and dance in cinema to whole new level. Not just their vocals but their persona evoked a sense of unspoken royalty. They looked into the eyes of their stage counterpart and the audience would go wild. Such was the artistic power that these performers had.

(Bing Crosby who made White Christmas

 the trademark Holiday song.

An Idol of Sinatra himself)

It wasn't just movies and music that these legends restructured. The whole selling-point of Vegas/Broadway entertainment was revamped around these phenoms. It no longer was about only cabaret and gambling in clubs on Sunset Boulevard that caused a crowd. The crooners had stolen the show. It created a doubling of audience and visitors as both ladies and gentlemen reveled in the delightful and spellbinding entertainment that was dished out each night by these gods of showbiz. The popular version of the Rat-pack in the post-Humphrey Bogart era consisting of primarily Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Peter Lawford created a gold standard when it came to ensemble performances and stage chemistry. For about 11 years Bing Crosby's radio show was tuned in to by 45-50 millions people every week, and that period included the WW2!(that’s about 5 times the global viewer ship that  the Big Bang Theory episodes have!)

It was a time of hats and coats, landaulets, candlestick phone’s, radio and cinematic dominance. And these genius men went ahead and made it theirs. Not one showcase shall you find of the past era that isn't sprinkled with any other soundtrack than a classic Sinatra, Martin, Como number, where the nostalgic-steroid music just transports you into a time where the words charm and men actually had something in common. If you thought girls going crazy about musicians was unprecedented till the Beatles and Elvis Presley came along, think again. Frank Sinatra had just as many female fanatics or possibly much more of a beta when it came to driving girls crazy. His female fans were called Bobby Soxers. (FYI Rolling up socks were the present day equivalent of a wet t-shirt). The crooners forever changed how the Great American Songbook is looked upon. But unlike what popular display may suggest this movement of music wasn't just limited to America and Europe... but all across to the Russia and Asia who had their own hero's of the genre. Indian Christmases are still lit up with old 8 tracks by Jim Reeves (Possibly the most down to earth stalwart of the genre). Russia had its own version of Sinatra, Martin and Crosby.

(Sammy Davis Jr. the multi-faceted entertainment genius) 

The genre lost mainstream stay by the mid 60's when Rock n roll took its flight with its own brand of post war heroes. There are a few stronghold performers of the genre like the legendary symbol of Italian-American fervor Tony Bennett (17 time Grammy winner, can you beat that?) who still puts out albums every few years. The man still has as much drawn and power. The genre of vocal jazz still has somewhat of dichotomous following i.e.; either pure niche or diluted (easy listening, adult contemporary, traditional pop)

The artists mentioned at the start of this post indeed possess definitive style and a power packed punches in terms of performances, but if you want a taste of the real deal, my friend, its all in front of you. Wade into this ever lively river where the music is so smooth it will give your heart goosebumps. And a fair warning to all, once you get hold of a track, I dare you, no, I double dare you (*sorry , I just watched Pulp fiction for the 128th time), that piece off music and words will be stuck to like baby koala to its momma!

Jim reeves more towards country driven music 

but the essence of his vocal style 

undoubtedly says vocal jazz

Besides being the genre that gave solace to a world grieving with the fresh wounds of the Second World War, the style created a world where there was hope and a chance of dreaming of a brighter future, a better world. their music still inspires musicians all around the world to reach for unspeakable greatness and reach deep down to bring forth emotion that really was unblemished, as it is only honest emotion that makes for legendary art altogether , and not just music. It symbolizes possibility of elevating every element in one's being and causing it to relax, sit back and just be human.... and that itself is class.

Frank Sinatra aka. Blue Eyes

People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell you at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it. - Frank Sinatra

Your feedback is welcome. Let me know how you feel about this post.
(Recommendations of this genre shall be given in the immediately following post)