Need help with Jazz


Hi. I'm a veteran audio nut with a decent bit of kit; mostly Musical Fidelity separates piped through some of Albert Von Schweikert's finest. I have a very eclectic taste in music, but I've never been drawn to Jazz until recently. I'm looking for recommendations for Jazz with good female vocals, and with an "upbeat" tempo: you know, the kind of music that tends to exploit one's awesome components! For example, I've tried Patricia Barber, and she's just a bit too dark. I do enjoy Diana Krall, but I'd like something with more brazen instrumentals. All suggestions welcome! Thanks.
klipschking
Some up-beat jazz singers that might interest you. Amongst some of the contemporary singers I really enjoy are ReneMarie, Mary Stallings, and Laverne Butler. They have each recorded several CD's for MaxJazz. Great stuff to my ears.
Your criteria eliminates at least 90% of the great recorded jazz currently available. The tail (system) is wagging the dog (music)....imo
Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable" is a GREAT album...every song is a winner w/good sonics. Also, I'm a big fan of Rosemary Clooney's songs recorded in her prime (that is in her older years). Concord has some good stuff of hers, and the Concord engineers, IMO, always get it right. Last, check out Shirley Horne's faster tempo songs. She can do slow (and I mean barely alive slow), but her up tempo songs swing.
The "usual suspects" among female vocalists include great names like Eva Cassidy (Live at Blues Alley), Ella Fitzgerald (love her duets with Louis Armstrong), Cassandra Wilson, Sara K, etc. Some lesser known by amazing voices with good recordings include Radka Toneff and Melody Gardot.

I also think that great piano jazz shows off a system's chops: Kenny Barron trio (Live at Bradley's, both volumes); Bill Evans; Mike Garson (Jazz Hat); Keith Jarrett; the list goes on and on.

Happy Listening!