Vocalese

Vocalese is a musical style that involves setting lyrics to instrumental jazz melodies. Typically, a jazz musician creates a solo or instrumental piece, and then a vocalist writes and performs lyrics that fit the melody, often mimicking the original instrumental lines. This technique allows the singer to express thoughts and stories while maintaining the intricate musical structure of the jazz. Vocalese can showcase the singer's technical skills and creativity, as it merges poetry with the improvisational spirit of jazz. Notable vocalese artists include Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks, who popularized this unique form of vocal jazz.