:) As is the case with everything, a favorite singer is a matter of personal taste. That said, Helen Merrill is my favorite jazz vocalist. Her first four albums released on Emarcy in the fifties are first rate. The first of these was done with a small group that included trumpeter Clifford Brown. It is a perfect album so evocative of its' time. Her vocals are sensual, breathy, playful, sweet and touching.
  Of particular note is Helen's rendition of "What's New", so expressive that upon first hearing this I actually cried.
  'Cannot recommend this enough! :)