Really need some jazz artists?

what were some big band/jazz bands and artists from the 30's and40's like the andrews sisters and up beat bluesy stuff like that even like ella fitzjereld or billie holiday. thank you

looking for more female voices rather than male or both together, like lena horne or nina simone

You might want to try these artists from the 30s and 40s...

- Duke Ellington
- Louis Armstrong
- Cab Calloway
- Fletcher Henderson
- Benny Goodman
- Count Basie

Hope this helps. :)

Try JAZZRADIODC.com they are all there and you can write in questions.

for 30's and 40's you best start looking at Paul whiteman, Glen Miller, tommy Dorsey, and Les Brown, then there's the Stan Kenton and Billy May bands, as well as Woody Herman, and Lionel Hampton. all played great swing jazz, and I think ella, and Billy sang with most of them at one time or another.
Basie and ellington are a must of course, also les brown and have a look for Harry James

You MUST listen to the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra. Also keep an eye out for Ray Brown (especially the Ray Brown trio with Gene Harris and Jeff Hamilton), Oscar Peterson, Lester Young, and keep listening to Ella and Louis.

You sound like you're looking for vocal things, so I'll steer you away from worthy groups mentioned above that are largely instrumental bands.

First of all, get some MILLS BROTHERS, especially their early material, when they pioneered jazz ensemble singing. Great stuff. One of the "brothers" was actually their father.

Try out some Sarah Vaughan. Lovely voice. Lena Horne is worthy, too. Check out Johnny Hartman. Of course there's Sinatra and Bing. Billy Eckstine was a great vocalist in his era. Dinah Washington had a unique voice and style. Check out Nancy Wilson and Rosemary Clooney and Mel Torme while you're at it.

Happy listening!