Jazz has always held a special place in my heart. The genre is as much about emotion as it is about technique, and every time I step up to sing a jazz standard, I feel like I’m joining a timeless conversation between artist and audience. For anyone serious about singing, especially those looking to broaden their interpretive and improvisational skills, there’s a core set of classic jazz standards every singer should know.
Learning these standards not only builds your repertoire but also helps you connect with fellow musicians. In jam sessions, auditions, or even casual gigs, you’ll often be expected to know certain tunes by heart. These songs are the common language of jazz. Knowing them gives me confidence that I can hold my own in any setting, and it constantly reminds me of jazz’s rich and expressive history.
Below are ten songs that I believe are truly essential. They’ve taught me about phrasing, breath control, interpretation, and most importantly, how to tell a story through melody.
1. “Summertime” – George Gershwin
When I first sang “Summertime,” I understood why it’s one of the most enduring jazz standards of all time. Its haunting melody and slow tempo give space for emotional interpretation. Depending on how it’s sung, this song can sound sultry, sorrowful, or dreamy.
It also teaches great vocal control. Because of its slow pacing and long phrases, I’ve had to pay close attention to breath support and sustain. “Summertime” has appeared in countless jazz albums across generations, making it one of those classic jazz standards every singer should know.
2. “My Funny Valentine” – Rodgers and Hart
This song is all about nuance. I love how the lyrics walk the line between affection and irony. Singing “My Funny Valentine” challenges me to keep it subtle, intimate, and emotionally resonant without being overdone.
It’s also a great piece for learning how to shape phrasing. The melody is deceptively simple, which forces the singer to bring personality and color through interpretation rather than vocal acrobatics.
3. “All of Me” – Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons
“All of Me” is one of the most upbeat and widely covered jazz standards in existence. I find it a perfect song to loosen up with during gigs or rehearsals. It has a playful swing feel, and I often experiment with tempo, rhythm, or even call-and-response sections with the band.
It’s also great for learning how to engage an audience with personality. Every time I sing it, I focus on the cheeky humor and timing, which helps sharpen my delivery for more theatrical performances.
4. “Autumn Leaves” – Johnny Mercer / Joseph Kosma
This tune has become one of my go-to choices for ballads. It’s melancholic but not heavy. “Autumn Leaves” paints a beautiful picture of seasonal change and emotional loss, which makes it a natural choice for building emotional expression in a performance.
It’s also helpful for practicing bilingual skills, since it originated in French. I’ve sung both the English and French versions, and each offers unique challenges. This versatility makes it one of the classic jazz standards every singer should know and revisit often.
5. “Fly Me to the Moon” – Bart Howard
Frank Sinatra’s version of this song made it iconic, but it’s been interpreted in many ways, from laid-back bossa nova to energetic swing. I’ve found it especially useful for learning how to keep a strong rhythmic pocket.
The lyrics are charming, and the structure of the song allows for fun phrasing and timing changes. It’s also the kind of tune that audiences recognize immediately, which makes it a great option for live sets and casual performances alike.
6. “Cry Me a River” – Arthur Hamilton
Few songs let you sink into dramatic storytelling the way “Cry Me a River” does. I’ve used it in auditions where I needed to bring depth and attitude. It’s a slow burner, and singing it requires both control and emotional honesty.
The bluesy feel of this standard is perfect for practicing vocal texture. When I sing it, I explore using breathiness, vibrato, or slight growls to enhance the feeling without sacrificing clarity. That kind of vocal experimentation makes it one of those classic jazz standards every singer should know for developing versatility.
7. “The Girl from Ipanema” – Antônio Carlos Jobim
This bossa nova classic taught me how to relax into a groove. Its laid-back rhythm and smooth melodic lines are deceptively tricky. Singing it requires a great deal of restraint, less is more when it comes to “The Girl from Ipanema.”
Performing this tune has helped me develop my phrasing and internal rhythm. I pay close attention to where I place my consonants and how I float on top of the beat. It’s also one of the few standards that feels both sophisticated and universally accessible.
8. “Someone to Watch Over Me” – George and Ira Gershwin
Whenever I want to bring emotional depth and romantic longing to a performance, this is the song I turn to. The melody is rich and sweeping, and the lyrics are incredibly heartfelt. I’ve used this ballad in cabaret shows and recital programs where I needed something intimate and touching.
It’s also technically demanding. Long, legato lines require excellent breath support, and subtle changes in dynamics make a big difference in how the song is received. For anyone learning to tell a story through song, this is a must-have in your jazz repertoire.
9. “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” – Duke Ellington
This song is pure fun. It reminds me that jazz doesn’t always have to be serious or sentimental, it can be energetic, lively, and interactive. Singing this standard often becomes a full-body experience, and it always seems to get the audience involved.
It’s also a useful piece for mastering swing feel and syncopation. The repetition of the main phrase makes it easy to learn but difficult to master in terms of timing and delivery. That’s what keeps it exciting.
“It Don’t Mean a Thing” is one of those classic jazz standards every singer should know not only for its musical merit but also for its ability to energize a setlist.
10. “Misty” – Erroll Garner / Johnny Burke
“Misty” is a dreamy, romantic ballad that always feels elegant and timeless. Singing it demands gentle phrasing and emotional subtlety. I treat it like a whisper into someone’s ear, close, personal, and expressive.
The chord changes are rich and complex, which makes it a favorite for jazz pianists. When I perform it with a live accompanist, we often stretch the tempo and play with rubato. That freedom allows for deeper connection and personalization, which makes this one of my most beloved jazz standards.
Building Your Jazz Setlist
Learning these ten songs gave me a strong foundation. But the real magic comes from revisiting them over time and letting them evolve with my voice and experience. I’ve noticed that how I sing “Summertime” today is very different from how I sang it a few years ago. That’s the beauty of jazz, every performance is a living, breathing moment.
When I build a jazz setlist, I include a mix of tempos, moods, and styles. I’ll open with something familiar and mid-tempo like “Fly Me to the Moon,” follow with a tender ballad like “Misty,” then bring the energy up again with “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” Having these classics at my fingertips allows me to adapt on the fly depending on the venue, the crowd, or my own emotional state.
For auditions or showcases, I often choose two contrasting standards from this list. A slower, emotionally rich song like “Someone to Watch Over Me” paired with something playful like “All of Me” lets me demonstrate both vocal control and stage presence.
Final Thoughts
Exploring these classic jazz standards every singer should know has shaped my musical identity. Each song offers its own lesson, whether it’s about phrasing, rhythm, dynamics, or emotional expression. They’ve helped me become a more flexible, thoughtful performer and connected me to a tradition that spans generations.
If you’re just starting out in jazz, these ten songs are a great place to begin. Learn them deeply, practice them with different tempos and emotions, and make them your own. As you grow, these pieces will grow with you, and that’s what makes them timeless.
