Boogie-woogie was another jazz form that became popular during the 1930's. Chiefly a piano style, it used eight beats to the bar instead of four. Boogie-woogie featured the traditional blues pattern for most themes. The music had an intense quality that created excitement through the repetition of a single phrase. Albert Ammos, Pete Johnson, Meade Lox Lewis, and Pinetop Smith were among its most important artists.
Jazz vocalists came into prominence during the swing era, many singing with big bands. Many fine jazz singers emphasized popular songs. These singers included Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nat "King" Cole, Carmen McRae, and Sarah Vaughan. Blues singing at its best can be heard in recordings by Jimmy Rushing, Jack Teagarden, Joe Turner, and Dinah Washington. In addition to singing, Nat "King" Cole was a superb jazz pianist and Jack Teagarden was a great jazz trombonist. See also Special Reports: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song.