Sorry to disagree with you on this subject, Russ, but I sincerely believe that diction is a major component of singing. As for not being able to hold her mic, how about Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simmons, Diana Krall, Diana Washington, Betty Carter, Peggy Lee and Carmen McRae? I can clearly understand every word of ever song those ladies performed. She doesn't even make it into the Top 25 List of Best Jazz Singers. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-female-jazz-singers-ever/

When I was visiting Nashville I came across a lady that had a school where she taught diction to singers, and she instructed many of the greatest singers of our time during the past 30 years. She had an ad in one of the local musical entertainer magazines, and her school was booked to capacity with a two year waiting list.

Thirty years ago, when I was an aspiring singer, I thought I sounded pretty damned good, but my wife convinced me to take a course at the local community college where she worked. The course was called "Voice And Articulation" and was taught by a local jazz singer. She had an incredible voice, and she was an excellent instructor. She placed a lot of emphasis on articulation and vocal control, which is why she, and many of her students, were very successful. I'm not bragging, but I sincerely believe that I would not have been nearly as successful without her tutelage. My wife agrees wholeheartedly.

All the best,

Gary