Photo: Clare Teal.

It seems everybody wants to be a jazz singer nowadays. People of all ages turn up at 'open mic' sessions to perform their party piece. But why this sudden eruption of would-be vocalists? Maybe because singing looks easier than playing an instrument, although it isn't. Or maybe it's because there are so many good jazz singers in Britain to inspire them. There's Stacey Kent, Tina May, Claire Martin, Clare Teal, Barb Jungr, Anita Wardell, Sheena Davis, Cathie Rae and plenty more. Until recently, the guys had fewer role-models, but then along came Jamie Cullum whose career received a mighty boost when he was signed by Universal. Of course, Universal didn't actually discover him; he already had a CD out on the smaller Candid label. This is the way it works in jazz and has done for decades. Since the end of the Second World War, every major figure in jazz - Parker, Davis, Coltrane - has first appeared on a small label run largely on enthusiasm and flair. So that's where to look if you're seeking the next wave of outstanding jazz musicians. Take, for instance, the astonishing Soweto Kinch, who won this year's Mobo Award for 'best jazz act'. He is a phenomenal saxophonist, but his musical imagination and the facility with which he juggles his ideas are simply mind-boggling. His CD, Conversations With the Unseen, is on Dune, a label operated out of a single office in Harrow.  Some of the most impressive British jazz of the past year has come from Scotland, in particular from Caber, another shoestring label, in this case run by drummer Tom Bancroft. Three Caber releases were quite outstanding, those by pianist Dave Milligan, bassist Mario Bacuris and trumpeter Colin Steele. And then there is saxophonist Tommy Smith, Scotland's one-man music industry, whose own label, Spartacus, came up with a couple of gems, a series of duets between Smith and pianist Brian Kellock and a set by Smith's own sextet. The deftest movers this year, though, were producers The Neptunes, and in particular Pharrell Williams. Not satisfied with masterminding all the prettiest R&B productions, Pharrell cropped up in his charges' videos, playing drums and showing off his tattoos, and finally released his own single.

Continues on the next page.

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COMING SOON: VOLUME 7 OF THE WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY JAZZ: BIOGRAPHIES

To be included, email Carol Lexter at carollexter@aol.com Email your biography and photos in the text body of your email.

BE INCLUDED IN:  WORLD WHO'S WHO IN JAZZ, CABARET, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT. SEND YOUR BIO, CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND YOUR PHOTO FOR INCLUSION. APPLY HERE

The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA) in collaboration with TimesSquarePress and Elite Associates is in the final stage of the production of WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY JAZZ: BIOGRAPHIES. This tome is the volume 7 of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. Professional performers, entertainers, singers and musicians are encouraged to apply for inclusion. The official profile contains bio, career highlight, press quotes, latest news about  recent performances, and CD/Albums releases. Also, a photo can be added to the official profile.

Inclusion: Email the associate editor, Carol Lexter at carollexter@aol.com and/or APPLY HERE. WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY JAZZ: BIOGRAPHIES is  the  first and most authoritative and comprehensive published record of those who have made their mark on the world of Jazz. This volume shall be published by mid  November 2007. Deadlines for inclusion:  September 29, 2007 at 12:00 PM. FAMSPA has already published this year  6 massive volumes on Jazz, world entertainment, divas, musicians and singers, an extensive compilation of approximately 70,000 entries, names and biographies. The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists Inc (FAMSPA) is a United States nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of quality work of singers and musicians.