Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male
Encyclopedia
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male was an honor presented at the Grammy Award
s, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to male recording artists for quality jazz
vocal performances (songs or albums). Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Prior to 1981, the gender-neutral category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance
existed. The first award specifically for male performances was presented to George Benson
in 1981 for the song "Moody's Mood
". The category remained unchanged until 1985, when it was combined with the award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
and presented in the genderless category. Gender-specific awards were once again presented from 1986 until 1991. In 1992, the two categories were combined and presented as the category Best Jazz Vocal Performance. This category was later renamed to Best Jazz Vocal Album beginning in 2001. While the gender-specific award has not been presented since the category merge in 1992, an official confirmation of its retirement has not been announced.
Bobby McFerrin
holds the record for the most wins in this category, with a total of four consecutive wins from 1986 to 1989 (once along with Jon Hendricks
). Mel Tormé
and Harry Connick, Jr.
each received the award twice. An American artist received the award each year it was presented. Tormé holds the record for the most nominations, with six. Joe Williams
holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with a total of four.
Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
Award was combined with the Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
category and presented in a genderless category known as Best Jazz Vocal Performance
.
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to male recording artists for quality jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
vocal performances (songs or albums). Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".
Prior to 1981, the gender-neutral category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album has been presented since 1977. Until 2001 this award was titled the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance...
existed. The first award specifically for male performances was presented to George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
in 1981 for the song "Moody's Mood
Moody's Mood for Love
"Moody's Mood for Love" is jazz saxophonist James Moody's 1949 instrumental solo based on Jimmy McHugh's 1935 song "I'm in the Mood for Love" with lyrics later added by Eddie Jefferson.-History:...
". The category remained unchanged until 1985, when it was combined with the award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality jazz vocal performances...
and presented in the genderless category. Gender-specific awards were once again presented from 1986 until 1991. In 1992, the two categories were combined and presented as the category Best Jazz Vocal Performance. This category was later renamed to Best Jazz Vocal Album beginning in 2001. While the gender-specific award has not been presented since the category merge in 1992, an official confirmation of its retirement has not been announced.
Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
holds the record for the most wins in this category, with a total of four consecutive wins from 1986 to 1989 (once along with Jon Hendricks
Jon Hendricks
Jon Hendricks is an American jazz lyricist and singer. He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists...
). Mel Tormé
Mel Tormé
Melvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books...
and Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
each received the award twice. An American artist received the award each year it was presented. Tormé holds the record for the most nominations, with six. Joe Williams
Joe Williams (jazz singer)
Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:...
holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with a total of four.
Recipients
Year | Performing artist(s) | Nationality | Work | Nominees | Ref. |
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1981 |
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1982 |
Johnny Hartman John Maurice Hartman was an American bass jazz singer who specialized in ballads and earned critical acclaim, though he was never widely known. He recorded a well-known collaboration with the saxophonist John Coltrane in 1963 called John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, and was briefly a member of... – Once in Every Life Jimmy Rowles Jimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington... – Music's the Only Thing (That's) On My Mind Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books... – Mel Tormé and Friends Recorded Live at Marty's New York City |
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1983 |
Dave Frishberg Dave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house... – The Dave Frishberg Songbook, Volume One Mark Murphy (singer) Mark Murphy is an American jazz singer based in New York. He is most noted for his definitive and unique vocalese and vocal improvisations with both melody and lyrics... – Bop for Kerouac Joe Williams (jazz singer) Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:... – "8 to 5 I Lose" |
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1984 |
Mose Allison Mose John Allison, Jr. is an American jazz blues pianist and singer.-Biography:... – Lessons in Living Dave Frishberg Dave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house... – The Dave Frishberg Songbook, Volume Two Jon Hendricks Jon Hendricks is an American jazz lyricist and singer. He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists... – Cloudburst Jimmy Witherspoon Jimmy Witherspoon was an American jump blues singer.-Early life and career:James Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. He first attracted attention singing with Teddy Weatherford's band in Calcutta, India, which made regular radio broadcasts over the U. S. Armed Forces Radio Service during... – Jimmy Witherspoon Sings the Blues with Panama Francis and the Savoy Sultans |
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1985 | — | — | — | — | |
1986 | and Jon Hendricks Jon Hendricks Jon Hendricks is an American jazz lyricist and singer. He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists... |
George Benson George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist.... – "Beyond the Sea" Dave Frishberg Dave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house... – Live at Vine Street Mark Murphy (singer) Mark Murphy is an American jazz singer based in New York. He is most noted for his definitive and unique vocalese and vocal improvisations with both melody and lyrics... – Mark Murphy Sings Nat's Choice Alan Paul Alan Paul is a Grammy Award- winning singer and composer, best known as one of the founding members of the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. He played Teen Angel and Johnny Casino in the original Broadway cast of Grease where he introduced the songs "Beauty School Dropout" and "Born to Hand Jive"... – "Oh Yes, I Remember Clifford" |
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1987 |
Grady Tate Grady Tate, , is a hard bop and soul-jazz drummer and singer.He has played with Lional Hampton, Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Count... – "She's Out of My Life" Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books... – An Elegant Evening An Elegant Evening An Elegant Evening is a 1985 album by the American jazz singer Mel Tormé, accompanied by George Shearing.-Track listing:#"I'll Be Seeing You" - 3:29... Joe Williams (jazz singer) Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:... – I Just Want to Sing Jimmy Witherspoon Jimmy Witherspoon was an American jump blues singer.-Early life and career:James Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. He first attracted attention singing with Teddy Weatherford's band in Calcutta, India, which made regular radio broadcasts over the U. S. Armed Forces Radio Service during... – Midnight Lady Called the Blues |
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1988 |
Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular... and Benny Carter Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King... – Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter is a 1986 album featuring Billy Eckstine and Benny Carter. It was released on the Verve label.- Track listing :# You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To# My Funny Valentine# Here's That Rainy Day# Summertime... Dave Frishberg Dave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house... – "Can't Take You Nowhere" Arthur Prysock Arthur Prysock was an American jazz singer best known for his live shows and his baritone influenced by Billy Eckstine.... – "This Guy's in Love With You This Guy's in Love with You "This Guy's in Love with You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and recorded by Herb Alpert. Although known primarily for his trumpet playing as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert sang lead vocals on this solo recording, arranged by Bacharach.The recording's origin occurs, as... " Joe Williams (jazz singer) Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:... – "Every Night" |
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1989 |
Mose Allison Mose John Allison, Jr. is an American jazz blues pianist and singer.-Biography:... – Ever Since the World Ended João Gilberto João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira, known as João Gilberto , is a Brazilian singer and guitarist. His seminal recordings, including many songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, established the new musical genre of Bossa nova in the late 1950s.-Biography:From an early age, music... – Live in Montreux Live in Montreux Live in Montreux is a bossa nova album by João Gilberto, recordedlive in the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival and released in 1987. This is a single-discedition of the double album Live at the 19th Montreux Jazz Festival, released in 1986.-Track listing:... Mark Murphy (singer) Mark Murphy is an American jazz singer based in New York. He is most noted for his definitive and unique vocalese and vocal improvisations with both melody and lyrics... – September Ballads Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books... – A Vintage Year A Vintage Year -Track listing:# "Whisper Not"/"Love Me or Leave Me" , – 4:17# "Out of This World" – 5:11# "Someday I'll Find You" – 2:52... |
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1990 |
George Benson George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist.... – "Tenderly Tenderly "Tenderly" is a popular song published in 1946 with music by Walter Gross and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.Copyright 1946 by Edwin H. Morris & Company, Inc.... " Dr. John Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. , better known by the stage name Dr. John , is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as Zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll.Active as a session musician since the late 1950s, he came to wider... – "In a Sentimental Mood In a Sentimental Mood "In a Sentimental Mood" is a jazz composition by Duke Ellington which is also performed as a song. Ellington composed the piece in 1935 and recorded it with his orchestra the same year. Lyrics were later written for the tune by Irving Mills and Manny Kurtz. According to Ellington, the song was... " Lou Rawls Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls was an American soul, jazz, and blues singer. He was known for his smooth vocal style: Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game"... – At Last Joe Williams (jazz singer) Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:... – In Good Company |
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1991 |
Tony Bennett Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz.... – Astoria: Portrait of the Artist Astoria: Portrait of the Artist Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is a 1990 studio album by Tony Bennett.The title refers to Bennett's birthplace, Astoria, Queens.-Track listing:#"When Do the Bells Ring for Me?" – 2:58... George Benson George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist.... – Big Boss Band Jon Hendricks Jon Hendricks is an American jazz lyricist and singer. He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists... – "Freddie Freeloader Freddie Freeloader "Freddie Freeloader" is a composition by Miles Davis and is the second track on his album Kind of Blue. The piece takes the form of a twelve-bar blues in B-flat, but the chord over the final two bars of each chorus is an A-flat7, not the traditional B-flat7 followed by either F7 for a turnaround or... " Bobby McFerrin Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:... – "Scrapple from the Apple Scrapple from the Apple "Scrapple from the Apple" is a bebop composition by Charlie Parker written in 1947, commonly regonized today as a jazz standard, written in F major... " |
Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
Award was combined with the Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality jazz vocal performances...
category and presented in a genderless category known as Best Jazz Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album has been presented since 1977. Until 2001 this award was titled the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance...
.
See also
- Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or GroupGrammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or GroupThe Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group was presented from 1981 to 1990.Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.-1980s:*Grammy Awards of 1989...
- List of Grammy Award categories