My Kind of Music is a studio album by American jazz vocalist Mel Tormé, released posthumously in 2004 by Telarc Records. The album compiles some of Tormé's final studio recordings, made in 1996, which were not released until several years after his death in 1999.
Background and Content: The album primarily features Tormé's interpretations of jazz standards and popular songs from the Great American Songbook, a hallmark of his distinguished career. Known for his sophisticated vocal technique, smooth delivery, and intricate improvisational scat singing, Tormé brought his characteristic style to each track. The recordings capture the veteran vocalist in fine form, showcasing his enduring talent and mastery of the vocal jazz idiom even late in his career. The album serves as a poignant testament to his lasting musical legacy.
Release and Significance: Released five years after Tormé's passing, My Kind of Music stands as an important addition to his extensive discography. It offers fans and critics a final glimpse into his recording output, highlighting the quality of his work right up to his eventual retirement from performing due to a stroke in 1999. The album received positive reviews for its musical quality and for preserving some of the last professional recordings by one of jazz's most iconic singers.