Abstract
Representative scat solos of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, Kevin Mahogany, and Kurt Elling were analyzed to find the presence of a link or trend in their improvisational styles. Musical considerations included melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic factors. The background information, musical education, and musical influences of each vocalists were also considered when determining a pattern for improvisation. Interviews were conducted with Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, Kevin Mahogany, and Kurt Elling and used as primary sources. Video footage as well as biographical documentation of the lives of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald provided the look into their musical experience and development of improvisational style. It was concluded that through common musical experiences and instrumental and vocal influences a link does exist between the six vocalists. The musical analysis shows the evolution of scat singing that is apparent through these six artist's solo vocal improvisational styles.