Jon Hendricks, a jazz singer best known for his work with 1950s vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, has died, according to the New York Times. He was 96.
Once called the “James Joyce of jive” by Time magazine, Hendricks was best known for a technique known as vocalese (an invention credited to Eddie Jefferson), where singers take well-known jazz instrumental pieces and riff off of their titles to create stories that match the musical melodies in their intricacies.
Hendricks both conducted his own vocal improvisations, as well as adding words to those of others. He often took songs recorded by famous jazz ensembles like the Count Basie Orchestra and added words to make unique pieces of his own, as with “Jumpin’ at the Woodside.”
In addition to his singing career, Hendricks taught jazz at the University of Toledo and worked as a music critic.
He is survived by daughter Aria Hendricks.
