I really enjoy hearing experienced vocalists doing versions of songs by younger artists. This happened a lot in the seventies, when singers, with Frank Sinatra leading the way, began to cover artists such as the Beatles and Stevie Wonder, having realized that some of the best songwriters of that time were the ones working in rock and r&b groups. I think the same thing is happening now to some degree, as serious jazz musicians and singers continue to look to the modern rock repertoire for inspiring material. One of my favourite examples of the phenomenon is the great jazz singer Mark Murphy's version of Coldplay's "What If", from his 2007 masterpiece, Love Is What Stays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVVSlcMjAJo. It's wonderfully arranged and played, and, of course, sung with his usual combination of head and heart.

The jazz singer Mark Murphy has released thirty-eight albums over the course of a recording career that began in 1956. His adventurous phrasing and improvising have led to him being called the Bobby Fischer of jazz. His two most recent albums - Once to Every Heart (2005) and Love Is What Stays (2007) - are probably his two best. (For me, this is the mark of a great artist: the fact that there is improvement throughout a career. It's a testament to the work ethic of jazz musicians that this happens more frequently in jazz than in other styles - in my opinion, anyway.) All of his recordings are worth hearing in fact, but it's in concert where his artistry really shines - it's like watching a singing conductor. He gives the band cues for entries and when they should be tacet, he controls rhythms and tempos, all while singing in a unique, highly evolved style. You can get a sample on his website: Check out "Empty Faces" in the video section. But see him live if you get the chance.