Stevie is a Master of his craft. Legendary song writer, singer, musician & producer. His voice & ranger is unmatched. Stevie is soul,blues,jazz singer wrapped in one. Simply put He’s Stevie Wonder!! These songs are golden from his classic vault. His voice is clear & playing is amazing. He changes keys & ranges with No effort. Loved it ALL
I'd say that Stevie Wonder is an artist many a jazz singer might enjoy listening to in his/her spare time rather than a jazz singer himself, in order to get inspiration and the occasional infusion from, or simply relaxation after a hard night's day.
YES and MORE!! If Carmen McCrae, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Diane Schurr covered these songs, nobody would have an issue with calling it jazz. And if they can call Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra a jazz singer who covered Stevie's compositions, then yes. He is singing here with syncopated phrasing, sophisticated melodic and harmonic invention: fundamental characteristics of jazz. But because Stevie doesn't fit into some people's narrow definition of jazz, they say no. We will never get a consensus of what "jazz" means as applied to music. Very dogmatic people think Pat Metheny isn't a jazz artist. Stevie demonstrates and is capable of long form improvisation (wish there was more of that)clearly posses the technical facility on harmonica and piano sufficient to be called a jazz musician even if all his recordings don't fit into that category. Because he is a pop, rhythm and blue singer (derivative of jazz)does not exclude him from being classified as a jazz artist especially when he is probably one of the most covered song writers ever. Because you play jazz doesn't mean you are an imaginative, creative artist whose influence has effected music and culture. Don't think we'll see his equal in this lifetime and a few more to come.
(( @Tony Bennett was groomed to lay back on his public recordings. He could be a trumpet when he wanted or was permitted to. *** pls don't get that brass instrument name tWiSteD. Ty!
To all of you that answered the question before listening ...tsk, tsk...start at 8:37 . That's beyond traditional scat. That's raw emotion, expression. Beyond scat.
Um. He functions using modern jazz chords sure wish he had more success, Conversation Piece was my favorite record, used to drive around San Francisco and didnt want the radio on.
No. Among the greatest of R&B, soul, even blues singers, but not a Jazz singer. Words mean things and Jazz is a very clearly defined idiom. Stevie wouldn't call himself a Jazz singer, either. He's much too knowledgeable and experienced for such nonsense.
