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Jazz Articles about Eddie Jefferson
With Words, Without Words: The Art of Vocalese
by Larry Slater
Some of the best loved songs in jazz began life as jazz instrumentals with lyricists later transforming them into vocal showcases. Writing lyrics is an art, and the 20th century featured some truly great lyricists in and out of the jazz world. There is a form of vocal writing and singing that is unique to jazz called Vocalese. Vocalese uses recognizable lyrics that are sung to instrumental solos. Eddie Jefferson was the inventor of the idiom, ...
Continue ReadingEddie Jefferson: The Scientist of Vocalese
by Ed Hamilton
Detroit once had a reputation as the “Killer Kapital," but things have changed--Dave Bing, basketball Hall of Famer is Mayor and is striving to clean up the city. But 32 years ago, actress Brenda Vaccarro and altoist Richie Cole witnessed the drive-by shotgun slaying of the architect of Vocalese, Eddie Jefferson, at Bakers' Lounge. Jefferson was shot and killed May 8, 1979, walking out of the venue, after playing a set with co-leader Cole. Vocalese was first created ...
Continue ReadingEddie Jefferson: Vocal Ease
by Jim Santella
Writing lyrics to fit transcribed jazz solos note for note, Eddie Jefferson founded vocalese in the late 1940s. His lyrics contained a contextual message about the referenced artist, which he performed, to the accompaniment of a small ensemble. The singer’s “Parker’s Mood" salute to Bird and his “I Cover the Waterfront" salute to Pres were recorded in 1949. But it was King Pleasure who captured the public’s ear, singing Jefferson’s “Moody’s Mood for Love" and “Parker’s Mood" a few years ...
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