The wonderful vocalist Banu Gibson (“First Lady of the Bayou,” TST, September 2016) is a great friend and it is always a privilege to share a bandstand with her. Over the years we have discussed many vocalists in the jazz and pop genres. We hope that TST Readers will enjoy this dialogue concerning some of our favorite singers. —H. S.
Banu Gibson: Clarinetist Kenny Davern once said, “I want them to know it’s me in a few notes.” Most musicians strive for that individualist sound, but it’s easier for the human voice to be immediately recognized than a musician on his instrument.
When I first moved to New York City in 1969 I had been listening almost exclusively to Bix Beiderbecke, Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby and Ethel Waters, and was still new to building my auditory recognition of the greats. When a recording of Louis Armstrong’s trumpet playing came on and I said, “Who is that?” my future husband looked at me as if I had just grown three heads. “It’s Louis Armstrong,” he said slowly, emphatically, and as if this relationship just might not work out. It only took a few listens to the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings to never let that mistake happen again. As for Louis’ singing—there was no mistaking that! Generally, singers want to produce a bel canto (beautiful singing)
