Purlie, also known as Cleavon Jake Little, was an American actor and singer known for his captivating performances in film, television, and theater. Not only an incredibly talented performer, but Purlie was also known for his powerful and unique voice. In this article, we will explore Purlie's signature vocal style and the techniques that he used to develop his distinctive sound.

One of Purlie's most notable vocal features was his incredible range. He was able to sing comfortably across a wide range, effortlessly moving from his rich chest voice to stunning high notes. To achieve this level of control, Purlie would practice regularly with vocal exercises, focusing on both his breath control and his ability to switch between different vocal registers.

Another key feature of Purlie's vocal style was his use of vibrato. Vibrato is a technique in which the pitch of a note is varied slightly to create a warm and expressive sound. Purlie's vibrato was particularly pronounced, giving his singing a unique and captivating sound. To develop his vibrato, Purlie would spend time focusing on his breath control and practicing variations on vocal exercises that emphasized the technique.

One of Purlie's most iconic songs was "I Got Love," which he performed in the 1961 Broadway musical "Purlie Victorious." This song showcases Purlie's incredible vocal range, as well as his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. Another standout performance was his rendition of "Going Where the Southern Crosses the Yellow Dog," a traditional folk song that Purlie recorded in the 1970s. This song exemplifies Purlie's commanding vocal presence and his ability to make any song his own.

If you're looking to develop a vocal style similar to Purlie's, there are several Singing Carrots resources that can help. We recommend starting with the vocal range test, which will help you identify your own unique range and which notes you can comfortably sing. From there, explore the pitch accuracy test to help you refine your ability to hit the right notes. The pitch training game is also a great tool for building your vocal agility and accuracy.

In addition to these resources, be sure to explore Singing Carrots' library of articles and videos on topics like breathing, vocal registers, and vibrato. By incorporating these techniques into your own singing practice, you can start to develop a vocal style that is uniquely your own, just like Purlie.