Carmen McRae: Love Is Here to Stay

What distinguishes a jazz vocalist from a pop singer? It can't be improvisation. Aside from occasional scatting (nonsense syllables), both jazz and pop singers stick pretty much to the lyrics as written. Jazz singers take more liberties with a melody, but must be careful lest their embellishments prevent listeners from following the tune. (Otherwise, what's the point?) The biggest difference is rhythm. Jazz singers are freer in phrasing their words. Take Carmen McRae. At age 35, early in her belated recording career, McRae shows her maturity with a remarkable rhythmic creativity. She started late, but Carmen McRae was here to stay.