Jazz Greats from the 20's and 30's????

Question

I am really interested in Jazz/Blues artist from the 1920-30's era. I do not know the type of jazz that it is, I call it speakeasy. The music/lyrics are usually pretty sultry... Any suggestions on who I can listen to that would fit this discription?

Answer 1

You haven't given us much to go on, but some singers from that era that you might enjoy are Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday, Ethel Waters, and Mildred Bailey. When you find someone you like, you can go to allmusic.com and find similar artists.

Answer 2

Duke Ellington was the king...very sultry
"Mood Indigo"
"I'm checkin out, Goombye" are some of my favorites...

Believe it or not Bing Crosby was on his way to being a legend in jazz music in the 20's and 30's before he signed with Decca Records and became one of the first and best male pop artists.

Have you considered Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday?

Answer 3

The man who created that sound was Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller who created stride piano. Then there was the man who created swing, Chic Web who also gave Ella Fitzgerald her first big break. The man who became the pop icon of that sound was Cab Calloway. Then there was the Austin High Gang. Two of the biggest names there were Bix Beiderbecke and Jimmy McPartland. These are several of the big names. Go to a good music search engine like Yahoo Music and find others that relate to these names and you will find a treasure trove of great sounds and a great history thereof.

Answer 4

You should try Al Bowlly, the British crooner, who is renowned for his renditions of great love songs like "Love Is The Sweetest Thing" and "The Very Thought Of Me". Al's music still has an enormous following.

Answer 5

Django Reinhardt!

Some people call it "Pre-war" jazz, at least from what I've been told. Also try Billie Holiday. Can't go wrong there.