Eddie Jefferson

Eddie Jefferson was the founder of the rather odd genre of jazz singing known as Vocalese. Jefferson wrote and sang lyrics to famous instrumental solos by such masters as Charlie Parker and James Moody, but he also sang standards following his own muse. His most famous composition is "Moody's Mood for Love," a chestnut known to most modern listeners from George Benson's recording. King Pleasure and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross all followed in Jefferson's Vocalese footsteps and had more success than he ever did. Jefferson was murdered during the Disco heyday, but the Manhattan Transfer and the New York Voices are two groups that still practice the style of jazz singing that he first recorded.