Competing decibels in The Palace: it’s far from easy to keep vocally upright next to a large orchestra. Today, we dwell on vocalists from the period of swing. Some of them had troubled times (Billie Holiday), others laid the foundation for a shining solo career (Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Peggy Lee).
Initially, they played mainly a supporting role, and, in fact, Duke Ellington used the human voice as a musical instrument .
But, the popularity of the singers, male and female, grew steadily. This applies to: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Helen Humes, Tex Beneke, Helen Forrest, Helen Humes, Viola Jefferson, Jimmy Rushing, Ella Fitzgerald, Mildred Bailey, Jack Teagarden.
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