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.