I’m a sap for lounge crooners singing their hearts out on torch songs in dark dives. There is something magical about mulling over your life and cosmic existential questions while tucked away in a dark corner of a smoky club with a cocktail while a smooth jazz-pop ballad fills the air.
Lounge music is a mix of torch songs, jazz standards, cabaret, swing, smooth jazz, neo-soul, and pop standards. Sometimes with a mix of camp burlesque.
My work took me to many cities. While there I routinely sought out the best steak house and then the local piano bar or jazz club. My favorite piano bar towns include Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Scottsdale, Dallas, Toronto, Chicago, LA, and of course New York City. I lived on Manhattan when I worked on Wall Street and was in my element with all the jazz and cabaret clubs.
Growing up listening to the great jazz singers instilled in me a love of good songs with great lyrics. With the 1990s revival of swing, jazz, and lounge, my retro tastes were reawakened and I found a new generation of jazz and lounge singers, such as Steve Tyrell, Stacy Kent, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Natalie Cole, and many more.
Since the 1990’s many pop singers have switched to lounge and smooth jazz, such as Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Sade, Queen Latifah, Joe Jackson, Bobby Caldwell, Freda Payne, Joni Mitchell, Sting, and others.
Below are some of the better lounge singers I have discovered. Enjoy.
Michael Feinstein
I am fortunate to have seen Michael Feinstein perform, it was a memorable experience.
He is a true artist, the ‘real thing’. Feinstein is a singer, pianist, and music revivalist of the Great American Song Book. Feinstein became a popular cabaret singer in New York City at dinner clubs and on stage. He has his own nightclub, a radio program, and has garnered five Grammy nominations.
Michael Feinstein singing I Won’t Send Roses.
K.D. Lang
I’ve been a fan of KD Lang since when she was a country singer. A wonderful Canadian singer of lounge, pop, country, and jazz music. A natural singer with a remarkable voice and master of lyrical interpretation. A sincere sensitive singer who delves into the depths where we are most vulnerable. Lang began in the Canadian prairie country music scene and crossed over into mainstream music, film, TV, and stage. She has earned 6 Junos and 4 Grammys. She gained recognition singing with Roy Orbison and Tony Bennett.
KD Lang performs Constant Craving.
Tony Desare
Tony DeSare is a true lounge singer. His style takes you back to the Golden Age of crooners. He is a piano bar singer performing lounge, pop, jazz, soul, and standards. He has six albums and tours in concert.
Tony DeSare singing I Wish You Love.
Postmodern Jukebox
Postmodern Jukebox has become a music phenomenon by posting a new song weekly on Youtube gaining over 2 billion viewers. Their music reworks pop covers done in vintage genres, such as lounge, swing, big band, blues, R&B, soul, classic jazz, Gypsy jazz, ragtime, Dixieland, doowop, and others. The group was founded by Scott Bradlee in New York in 2011. The ensemble rotates multiple guest musicians and singers, some of whom have gained commercial success on their own. They have 23 albums and tour in six continents.
All About the Bass by Postmodern Jukebox.
Dream On by Postmodern Jukebox and Morgan James
De-Phazz
A laid back lounge, neo-soul, and smooth jazz ensemble group from Germany that are very popular in Europe. They have releases 20 albums since being formed in 1997.
De-Phazz plays Death by Chocolate.
The Hot Sardines
The Hot Sardines from New York City are an 8-piece ensemble that plays authentic classic jazz, Gypsy jazz, swing, and ragtime. They have 8 albums and tour in clubs and jazz festivals.
When I Get Low I Get High performed by The Hot Sardines
Lavay Smith
I saw Lavay Smith perform with her Red Hot Skillet Lickers band with their specialty music of 1930s and ‘40s swing, blues, big band, and jazz standards. Super high energy and good times. Lavay Smith gained notoriety during the 1990s swing revival in California and then on national tours and TV into the 2000s.
Lavay Smith sings Blues Skies.
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Squirrel Nut Zippers burst on the scene making a big splash with their unique retro sound during the 1990s swing revival. Formed in 1993 in North Carolina and reunited on tour with seven albums. The group plays a blend of Delta blues, swing, classic jazz, gypsy jazz, klezmer, and Dixieland. They played at the 1996 Olympics, Clinton inauguration, and on numerous TV shows.
Blue Angel performed by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Club Des Belugas
Club des Belugas is a German lounge band formed in 2002 who is popular in Europe. Their music is a mix of nu jazz, lounge, Latin, soul, and swing. They are on world tour with 12 albums and numerous appearances on TV and in commercials.
Desperately Trying performed by Club des Begulas.
Ray Gelato
Ray Gelato is a popular British sax player and singer who performs swing, jump blues, jazz, lounge, Italian pop, Latin, and Louis Prima covers. Gelato gained a worldwide following during the swing revival with his flair for showmanship. He tours European clubs and festivals and has performed with many big name stars.
Caterina performed by Ray Gelato.
Joe Jackson
A popular British rock-soul singer-songwriter who shifted to jazz, lounge, and cabaret. He was popular in the swing revival of the 1990s. Jackson has produced 21 albums and has five Grammy nominations.
Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby performed by Joe Jackson.
Hot Club du Nax
An Austrian band that performs Gypsy and hot jazz, swing, and Latin. Singer Isobel Cope is backed by four string musicians. They perform in Austria, Germany, Italy, and France.
Everybody Wants to Be a Cat by Hot Club du Nax.
