Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Round Midnight CD

Recorded in Hollywood, California between August 16, 1956 and August 18, 1957. Includes liner notes by Dave Gelly.

Verve's JAZZ ROUND MIDNIGHT reissue series trumps more scattershot reissue sets like the label's SILVER COLLECTION or COMPACT JAZZ lines because these reissues are programmed with care to create a particular mood. When paired with a particularly worthy performer like the great Ella Fitzgerald, the results are sublime.

Fitzgerald, possibly the greatest female jazz singer ever, may be best known for her up-tempo material, which best suits her amazing scat-singing abilities. But particularly during the last half of her nearly 50-year career, Fitzgerald was a masterful ballad performer. Using her lower register, which the years burnished into a warm, mellow instrument, Fitzgerald could make the most familiar material sound brand new, and achieved a casual intimacy, whether fronting a trio or a big band, that still sounds startling today. Classics like "Blue Moon," "September Song" and of course, Monk's "'Round Midnight," rarely sounded better than they do here.

Taken from three studio dates and a live recording from the Hollywood Bowl (all dating between 1956 and 1958), this 14-track compilation is a delightful precis of one of the most enjoyable collaborations in jazz history. Like all the entries in Verve's extensive JAZZ ROUND MIDNIGHT series, the collection focuses on ballads and lush orchestrations, but Fitzgerald and Armstrong--the two finest scat singers in jazz history--approach all of their performances with such infectious good humor that the overall atmosphere is more giddy than romantic. Opening with a swinging take on the standard "Can't We Be Friends" and continuing through such gems as "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and perhaps the definitive version of George and Ira Gershwin's "Summertime," JAZZ ROUND MIDNIGHT is a gorgeous mix of personalities, songs and arrangements sure to delight any fan of jazz vocals.

This is part of Verve's Jazz 'Round Midnight series.

Full perfomer name: Ella Fitzgerald And Louis Armstrong.

Personnel includes: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Russell Garcia (conductor); Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass); Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich (drums); The Russell Garcia Orchestra.