Dave Lambert: A Jazz Vocal Legend

Introduction:

In the annals of jazz history, certain figures stand out not just for their talent, but for their innovation and influence on the genre. Dave Lambert, a pioneering jazz vocalist, is one such figure. Best known as one-third of the groundbreaking vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Lambert’s contributions to jazz are both profound and enduring. This blog post explores Lambert’s life, career, and lasting impact on jazz music.

Early Life and Career Beginnings:

David Alden Lambert was born one hundred and seven years ago today on June 19, 1917, in Boston, Massachusetts. His early career began with Johnny Long’s Orchestra in the early 1940s. Alongside his early partner Buddy Stewart, Lambert played a pivotal role in integrating singing into modern jazz, contemporaneously with the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.

The Birth of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross:

In the late 1950s, Lambert’s career took a transformative turn when he formed the vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross with Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross. The group was revolutionary, pioneering a style known as vocalese, where lyrics were set to instrumental jazz solos. This approach transformed complex instrumental pieces into vocal performances, combining intricate harmonies and scat singing with witty, often humorous lyrics.

Their debut album, Sing a Song of Basie (1958), featured vocal renditions of Count Basie’s big band arrangements. The album was a critical and commercial success, establishing Lambert, Hendricks & Ross as one of the most innovative groups in jazz. They followed up with several more albums, including The Swingers!, The Hottest New Group in Jazz, and High Flying.

Innovating Vocal Jazz:

Dave Lambert’s role in Lambert, Hendricks & Ross was multifaceted. He was not only a singer but also a key arranger, shaping the group’s distinctive sound. His arrangements were noted for their complexity, creativity, and the seamless integration of vocal harmonies with the underlying instrumental tracks. Lambert’s ability to translate instrumental solos into vocal parts was unparalleled, and his work with the trio pushed the boundaries of what vocal jazz could achieve.

Solo Career and Later Years:

After Annie Ross left the group in 1962, Lambert and Hendricks continued to perform and record with various singers, but the magic of the original trio was hard to replicate. By the mid-1960s, Lambert had moved on to pursue solo projects and other collaborations.

In 1964, Lambert embarked on an ambitious project to form a new vocal group. He recorded several tracks with a group of young singers, but the project was never completed due to Lambert’s untimely death. These recordings, however, were eventually released posthumously, offering a glimpse into what could have been another groundbreaking venture in vocal jazz.

Tragically, Dave Lambert’s life was cut short on October 3, 1966, in an automobile accident in Connecticut. He was just 49 years old. Despite his relatively short career, Lambert’s influence on jazz vocalists and the genre as a whole is immeasurable.

Legacy and Influence:

Dave Lambert’s legacy lives on through the music he created and the innovations he brought to jazz. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross’ recordings remain essential listening for jazz enthusiasts, and their vocalese style has inspired countless vocalists and groups over the decades. Lambert’s approach to vocal jazz, characterized by its complexity, humor, and musicality, set a new standard for what vocal groups could achieve.

Notable Albums and Recordings:

• Sing a Song of Basie (1958): This debut album by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross is a landmark recording in the history of vocal jazz. The album features vocal interpretations of Count Basie’s instrumental classics, with lyrics penned by Jon Hendricks. Tracks like “Every Day I Have the Blues” and “One O’Clock Jump” showcase the trio’s impeccable harmonies and Lambert’s inventive arrangements.
• The Hottest New Group in Jazz (1959): Another essential album by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, The Hottest New Group in Jazz includes standout tracks like “Twisted,” a vocalese adaptation of a Wardell Gray solo, and “Centerpiece,” which became a jazz standard. The album highlights the trio’s ability to blend humor with technical virtuosity.
• High Flying (1961): High Flying is one of the final albums recorded by the original trio. It features a mix of standards and original compositions, all delivered with the trio’s characteristic flair and innovation.

Solo Projects:

Though Lambert’s solo career was cut short, his work on the unfinished vocal group project in 1964 demonstrates his continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of vocal jazz. The posthumously released recordings from these sessions provide valuable insight into Lambert’s evolving vision for vocal music.

Dave Lambert’s contributions to jazz are both profound and enduring. As a pioneering vocalist, arranger, and innovator, Lambert helped to redefine the possibilities of vocal jazz. His work with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross set a new standard for vocal ensembles, and his influence continues to be felt in the jazz world and beyond.

While his life was tragically short, Lambert’s musical legacy lives on through the recordings he made and the countless artists he inspired. For anyone interested in the history of jazz and the evolution of vocal music, Dave Lambert’s work remains essential listening and a testament to the transformative power of innovation and creativity in the arts.

References:

1. Larkin, C. (1995). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Guinness Publishing.
2. Dave Lambert picture. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dave_Lambert,_New_York,_N.Y.,_ca._July_1947_(William_P._Gottlieb_05551).jpg