From August 1956 to August 1957, legendary jazz producer Norman Granz oversaw several recording sessions and a handful of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl starring two of the finest singers in jazz history, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Fitzgerald was at the peak of her powers at the time, having clearly defined herself as the best female singer in jazz. Armstrong was comfortably settling into his Grand Old Man of Jazz role by this point, trading hot swing and fiery trumpet solos for genial, good-humored vocalizing.
Still, Armstrong was never one to back off from a challenge, and he holds his own divinely against the younger singer. Fitzgerald was Armstrong's only rival as a scat singer, and so nearly every track here dissolves into impressive competing scat solos. Fans of scat singing will rejoice.
01. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
02. Love Is Here To Stay
03. The Nearness Of You
04. Stars Fell On Alabama
05. Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You
06. They Can't Take That Away From Me
07. Autumn In New York
08. Summertime
09. Tenderly
10. Stompin' At The Savoy
11. Under A Blanket Of Blue
12. I Wants To Stay Here
13. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
14. There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
15. You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)
Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Russell Garcia (conductor, arranger); Trummy Young (trombone); Edmond Hall (clarinet); Billy Kyle, Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown, Dale Jones (bass); Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Barrett Deems (drums).
Principally recorded at Capitol Studios, The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California from August 15, 1956 - August 28, 1957.
Includes liner notes by William Ruhlmann.
Label: Verve
Orig Year: 1997
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