I have heard that Irving Berlin liked Fred Astaire because he sang the notes that Berlin wrote without embellishing the melody.
Jazz lovers would probably beg to differ, as vocal improvisation is one the the hallmarks of a great Jazz Vocalist, like Sarah Vaughn or Ella Fitzgerald.
As both a songwriter AND a Singer, I am torn. I like to reinterpret the song, but not “too much”, keeping the original melody intact as much as possible.
I usually keep my improv in the instrumental bridge, often “trading fours” with my lead guitarist, who knows I like to do that, so he tries to stump me by playing weirder and higher licks on the guitar, and I match or enlarge upon them.
Then we get back to the original melody and I sing it straight.
Of course, on my own compositions, I do whatever I darn well please! LOL!
Anyway, I think it was Mom who told me that about Irving Berlin and Fred Astaire. She may have made it up, but who knows?
Wait until you hear the various renditions of the songs tonight and tomorrow night! You’ll hear original versions and jazz workups. You’ll even hear Taco Ockerse do a version of a Berlin favorite.