Catherine Russell and Wesla Whitfield are my two faves right now. Catherine Russell has pedigree. Her father was Luis Russell, who was the musical director and piano player for Louis Armstrong. Her mother, Carline Ray, played with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Catherine Russell did backup work in Motown and Rock bands for years before venturing on a solo career doing 1930's style swing and jazz. She just kills it. I buy anything she puts out and catch whenever she gets out to the West Coast.
Wesla Whitfield is a cabaret and jazz singer who tells a story with every song she sings. I've never heard ANYONE do a better rendition of "Ten Cents a Dance". Beyond that, her personal story tells you that this is someone who sings from her heart.
http://articles.latimes.com/1999/apr/18/news/mn-28533
Check her out on this youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcm7vUDfGgc
Catherine Russell did backup work in Motown and Rock bands for years before venturing on a solo career doing 1930's style swing and jazz. She just kills it. I buy anything she puts out and catch whenever she gets out to the West Coast.
Wesla Whitfield is a cabaret and jazz singer who tells a story with every song she sings. I've never heard ANYONE do a better rendition of "Ten Cents a Dance". Beyond that, her personal story tells you that this is someone who sings from her heart.
http://articles.latimes.com/1999/apr/18/news/mn-28533
Check her out on this youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcm7vUDfGgc