The quintessential female jazz singer is Peggy Lee. Check out the album The Ultimate Peggy Lee, it is recorded very well and her style is so unique and subtle while extremely effective. Songs she made popular, 'Why dont you do right' with Benny Goodman, 'Fever' in 1958. She wrote and produced , 'I don't know enough about you'. Many more including the classic, 'Is that all there is'. Just a very under rated songstress from thr 40s and 50s. Many say she was the female version of Frank and I agree. Adding morr fuel to the fire they are reportedly to have hooked up frequently. Not surprising.
Looking for good recordings of female vocals I have not yet tried...
Most of my listeing is female vocals and classic Jazz. I have enjoyed current and older female singers. I have most of Billie Holiday through current Diana Krall and Julia Fordham. I enjoy good voices mainly acoustic. It would be helpful if it is music I can sample online. If the backing is mainly loud elctronic I would likely pass. Thanks for your thoughts and experience.