Vocalese

Vocalese is a style of jazz singing wherein lyrics are written for melodies that were originally part of an all-instrumental composition or improvisation.

Pioneers of vocalese include Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross, whose 1952 lyrics for the song "Twisted", a blues improvisation by saxophonist Wardell Gray, are considered a classic of the genre. Latter-day performers known for vocalese include Al Jarreau and Manhattan Transfer.

See also doo-wop, scat singing, Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.