Billie Holiday Songs For Distingue Lovers CD

Comprised of the last five studio dates Holiday did for Verve, SONGS FOR DISTINGUE LOVERS finds Lady Day operating within her ideal environment; that of a small jazz combo. Accompanied by a legendary line-up including Sweets Edison, Ben Webster and Barney Kessel, Holiday sang with the clear enunciation and easy swing that had become her trademark. Wrapping her phrasing around standards by Rodgers & Hart, The Gershwins and Cole Porter, Billie Holiday demonstrated how years of singing with various jazz bands sharpened her ability to turn a song on its head through slight fluctuations in pitch and tone color.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This is part of the Verve Master Edition series.

Recorded in 1957 and 1959.

Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California between January 3 & 9, 1957. Includes liner notes by James Patrick.

Reissue producer: Michael Lang.

Personnel includes: Billie Holiday, Ben Webster, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Rowles, Barney Kessel, Red Mitchell, Jimmy Cleveland, Al Cohn, Hank Jones, Kenny Burrell, Milt Hinton, Osie Johnson.

Personnel: Billie Holiday (vocals); Barney Kessel (guitar); Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Jimmy Rowles (piano); Larry Bunker, Alvin Stoller (drums).

Liner Note Author: Norman Granz.

Recording information: 01/1957.

Personnel: Billie Holiday (vocals); Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Jimmie Rowles (piano); Barney Kessel (guitar); Red Mitchell (bass); Larry Bunker, Alvin Stoller (drums).

Producer: Norman Granz.