Explore the voices nominated by the NPR community and our panel of experts.
50 Great Voices archive
Read Montserrat Caballé: A Voice Of Passionate Grandeur
March 8, 2011 – Caballé could be imposing at full voice, but she showed her real greatness when singing intimately.
Read Dianne Reeves: A Jazz Voice With Pop Sensibilities
February 1, 2011 – The legendary singer celebrates her affinity for pop music with a jazz musician's approach.
Read Meredith Monk: A Voice For All Time
January 11, 2011 – Simple and unadorned, Monk's vocal music sounds as if it has always meant to exist.
Listen Camaron De La Isla: The Voice Of Flamenco
January 3, 2011 – As he began his career, flamenco was still a connoisseur's music, but Camaron changed that forever.
Watch Youssou N'Dour: The Voice Of Senegal
December 27, 2010 – The Senegalese singer is a musical chameleon capable of a seductive whisper or a siren's cry.
Watch George Jones: The Voice Of Heartbreak
December 13, 2010 – George Jones, who died Friday at 81, could pull and bend notes until they made listeners hurt.
Listen Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice Of Hawaii
December 6, 2010 – The late Hawaiian musician was best-known for his ukulele-backed cover of "Over the Rainbow."
Watch Luther Vandross: The Velvet Voice
November 29, 2010 – The late soul singer's legendary voice has been called "flawless" and "as smooth as silk."
Listen Billie Holiday: Emotional Power Through Song
November 22, 2010 – Holiday sang from the heart, and had enough heartache to fill a songbook.
Listen Chavela Vargas: The Voice Of Triumph
November 15, 2010 – Even at 91, Vargas still possesses a voice that reflects struggle, defiance and ultimately triumph.
Listen Placido Domingo: The Spellbinding Voice Of A Titan Tenor
November 8, 2010 – Rufus Wainwright, Tim Page and Renee Fleming reflect on Placido Domingo's performances as Otello.
Watch Buika: The Voice Of Freedom
November 2, 2010 – A Spanish singer whose music radiates intensity, Buika says what you hear in her voice is freedom.
Listen Celia Cruz: The Voice From Havana
October 25, 2010 – Cruz, who grew up in the music-rich neighborhoods of Havana, became known as the "Queen of Salsa."
Watch Amalia Rodrigues: The Voice Of Extreme Expression
October 18, 2010 – A great singer of fado music, Rodrigues became the heart and soul of the Portuguese people.
Listen Kitty Wells: The Queen Of Country Music
October 11, 2010 – Wells, who died Monday, became a star at a time when women didn't have hits in country music.
