Ladies Of Jazz (Medley): SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the glamour and vocal sophistication of these iconic artists while keeping the material genuinely singable for SSA ensembles. The medley format lets singers experience three distinct jazz vocal styles in one piece, giving your choir exposure to varied phrasing, rhythmic approaches, and emotional colors without requiring separate rehearsals.

The piece carries the warmth and sophistication of mid-century jazz clubs, with the elegance these three singers brought to every phrase. You'll feel the swing, the intimacy of jazz ballad singing, and the confidence of performers who knew exactly how to shape a melody for maximum emotional impact.

This medley works for any SSA or SSAA choir looking to expand beyond traditional concert repertoire and give singers a chance to explore jazz vocal style. It suits groups ranging from high school choirs to adult community ensembles seeking accessible yet artistically satisfying popular music.

• Study recordings of the three artists featured in this medley. Each brought different interpretive approaches to jazz phrasing; having students listen to Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald will inform their understanding of swing, phrasing, and where to sit back rather than push the beat.
• Give attention to the transitions between songs. Shaw's arrangement likely connects these standards smoothly, so rehearse the sectional shifts as intentional musical moments rather than treating them as separate pieces stitched together.
• Balance warmth in the vocal tone with rhythmic precision. Jazz swing requires both relaxed, lyrical singing and crisp rhythmic articulation; work both qualities in rehearsal so singers aren't choosing one at the expense of the other.

Use this as a centerpiece for a concert celebrating American vocal traditions or as a lighter, jazzier counterpoint to classical choral works on the same program. The medley format makes it ideal for variety shows, pops concerts, or any performance where you want to showcase your singers' stylistic range and personality.

• jazz phrasing and swing rhythm
• lyrical vocal production in popular music contexts
• interpretation of songs from the American songbook
• managing style transitions within a medley structure
• collaborative ensemble blend across changing material