Wonderful 50s vocal work from Louis Armstrong – with backing from Sy Oliver, and some sweet trumpet solos too! (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

With Trummy Young on trombone, Dave McRae on clarinet, Billy Kyle on piano, George Barnes on guitar, Mort Herbert on bass, Barrett Deems on drums, and Nickie Tagg on organ; with choir directed by Sy Oliver. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Gordon Jenkins did the arrangements, and the record features Louis' version of "Blueberry Hill" – plus the tracks "Chlo-e", "Jeannine", "Spooks!", "Trees", and "It's All In The Game". Includes four bonus tracks. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Gentle-going genius from the later years of Satchmo's career – a session that has Louis on trumpet and vocals, backed by the Oscar Peterson Trio! Peterson's usual group with Herb Ellis and Ray Brown is expanded slightly for this outing – bringing in Louis Bellson on drums to syncopate the tunes a bit more strongly, and give them that gently swinging rhythm that always works well with Armstrong's style. The real surprise, though, is Louis' voice – which is simple, almost elegant at times – and free from some of the gimmicks of other 50s sessions, or the too-playful style of his better-known duets of the period. We really love his gentle, honest approach to the lyrics here – on tunes that include "I'll Never Be The Same", "Moon Song", "What's New", "There's No You", "You Go To My Head", "That Old Feeling", and "Let's Fall In Love". CD also features 4 bonus tracks – including "Let's Do It", "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "Willow Weep For Me", and "Makin Whoopee". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

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One of the hippest takes ever on the Porgy & Bess score – done in duet format by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, in a fuller spirit than their other albums for Verve! Like many late 50s albums of Gershwin's score, this one was issued in advance of the film with Sidney Poitier – but unlike most, this is less of a cash-in affair, and really takes Gershwin's music on its own – serving it up with that newly serious style that Verve was hitting with some artists, especially Ella, in the latter half of the 50s. Most tracks have relatively full backings – strings and jazz orchestrations – and the double-length set features 15 tracks that include "Buzzard Song", "I Got Plenty O Nuttin", "My Man's Gone Now", "I Wants To Stay Here", "Summertime", "It Ain't Necessarily So", "What You Want Wid Bess", "There's A Boat Dat's Leavin Soon For New York", "Oh Lawd I'm On My Way", and "A Woman Is A Sometime Thing". CD

One of the hippest takes ever on the Porgy & Bess score – done in duet format by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, in a fuller spirit than their other albums for Verve! Like many late 50s albums of Gershwin's score, this one was issued in advance of the film with Sidney Poitier – but unlike most, this is less of a cash-in affair, and really takes Gershwin's music on its own – serving it up with that newly serious style that Verve was hitting with some artists, especially Ella, in the latter half of the 50s. Most tracks have relatively full backings – strings and jazz orchestrations – and the double-length set features 15 tracks that include "Buzzard Song", "I Got Plenty O Nuttin", "My Man's Gone Now", "I Wants To Stay Here", "Summertime", "It Ain't Necessarily So", "What You Want Wid Bess", "There's A Boat Dat's Leavin Soon For New York", "Oh Lawd I'm On My Way", and "A Woman Is A Sometime Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

Two totally fantastic versions of this spiritual jazz standard – a version recorded by Leon Thomas that's shorter and different than his famous vocal performance of the tune with Pharoah Sanders – and a stunning second take from Louis Armstrong, with backings from Oliver Nelson – all at a level that works surprisingly well! (Funky 45's, Vocalists) 7-inch, Vinyl record

Titles include "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "La Vie En Rose", "Lazy River", "I Surrender Dear", "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", "You Rascal You" with Louis Jordan, and "Gone Fishin" with Bing Crosby. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

With orchestra directed by Sy Oliver. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Later recording by Armstrong, with notable sidemen including Bernard Purdie, James Spaulding, Frank Owens, Kenny Burrell, Richard Davis, Goergoe Duvivier, Leon Thomas, Billy Harper, Al Grey, Thad Jones, Jimmy Owens, and more. (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Two excellent vocal albums that Louis cut for Verve – some of the best of his career, and both graced with amazing arrangements by Russ Garcia! The sound's a lot purer than some of the pop vocal albums that Louis cut for other labels, like Decca – and he both sings and plays trumpet on tracks like "When Your Lover Has Gone", "We'll Be Together Again", "You Turned The Tables On Me", "I've Got The World On A String", "Top Hat White Tie & Tails", "Home", "East Of The Sun", "Stormy Weather", and "Have You Met Miss Jones". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Wonderful 50s vocal work from Louis Armstrong – with backing from Sy Oliver, and some sweet trumpet solos too! (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Louis Armstrong hits the Flying Dutchman label – and unlocks a whole new spiritual side of his talents – a mode that's quite different than some of his crossover pop of the 60s! The style here has a bit of righteous elements in the lyrics, and lots of spiritual jazz in the backings – with full arrangements from Oliver Nelson – who heads up a dream lineup that includes Billy Harper on tenor, and either Chico Hamilton or Pretty Purdie on drums! Even more amazing is a guest appearance from Leon Thomas – who sings on a version of "The Creator Has A Master Plan". Other tunes are just as hip – and include "The Black Cat Has 9 Lives", "His Father Wore Long Hair", "Give Peace A Chance", and "We Shall Overcome". Must be heard to be believed! (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Gentle-going genius from the later years of Satchmo's career – a session that has Louis on trumpet and vocals, backed by the Oscar Peterson Trio! Peterson's usual group with Herb Ellis and Ray Brown is expanded slightly for this outing – bringing in Louis Bellson on drums to syncopate the tunes a bit more strongly, and give them that gently swinging rhythm that always works well with Armstrong's style. The real surprise, though, is Louis' voice – which is simple, almost elegant at times – and free from some of the gimmicks of other 50s sessions, or the too-playful style of his better-known duets of the period. We really love his gentle, honest approach to the lyrics here – on tunes that include "I'll Never Be The Same", "Moon Song", "What's New", "There's No You", "You Go To My Head", "That Old Feeling", and "Let's Fall In Love". CD also features 4 bonus tracks – including "Let's Do It", "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "Willow Weep For Me", and "Makin Whoopee". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

One of the hippest takes ever on the Porgy & Bess score – done in duet format by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, in a fuller spirit than their other albums for Verve! Like many late 50s albums of Gershwin's score, this one was issued in advance of the film with Sidney Poitier – but unlike most, this is less of a cash-in affair, and really takes Gershwin's music on its own – serving it up with that newly serious style that Verve was hitting with some artists, especially Ella, in the latter half of the 50s. Most tracks have relatively full backings – strings and jazz orchestrations – and the double-length set features 15 tracks that include "Buzzard Song", "I Got Plenty O Nuttin", "My Man's Gone Now", "I Wants To Stay Here", "Summertime", "It Ain't Necessarily So", "What You Want Wid Bess", "There's A Boat Dat's Leavin Soon For New York", "Oh Lawd I'm On My Way", and "A Woman Is A Sometime Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool little record – even though it's a bit out of the ordinary for the Louis Armstrong catalog! The set was recorded during that 60s stretch when Louis was emerging as a hell of a charming singer – one who scored a few big pop hits, in a mode that he also invokes here – providing vocal renditions of some of the best Disney theme tunes from the postwar years! The mix of material is very nice – some obvious numbers by the Shermans, mixed with more surprising earlier tracks – and arrangements are by Maxwell Davies, who keeps things groovier than most talents in the Disney studios might have. Titles include "Bout Time", "Bare Necessities", "Ten Feet Off The Ground", "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Chim Chim Cher-ee", "Heigh Ho", Zip A Dee Doo Dah", and "Bibbidi Bobbidi Bo". (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Louis Armstrong's given the world a number of famous Christmas tunes over the years – but oddly, he never issued a full album of Holiday music over the course of his many decades of recordings – a fact that's finally corrected here, with the first-ever full length record of Louis' Holiday songs! The album's maybe most noteworthy for its final track – an unissued reading of "A Visit From St Nicholas" by Armstrong, with piano backing from Sullivan Fortner – and the album also includes a duet with Velma Middleton on "Baby It's Cold Outside", and with Ella Fitzgerald on "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" – next to other cuts that include "Christmas Night In Harlem", "Cool Yule", "Zat You Santa Claus", "Christmas In New Orleans", "Moments To Remember", "Winter Wonderland", "White Christmas", and "What A Wonderful World". (Holiday Music, Vocalists) CD

Louis Armstrong's given the world a number of famous Christmas tunes over the years – but oddly, he never issued a full album of Holiday music over the course of his many decades of recordings – a fact that's finally corrected here, with the first-ever full length record of Louis' Holiday songs! The album's maybe most noteworthy for its final track – an unissued reading of "A Visit From St Nicholas" by Armstrong, with piano backing from Sullivan Fortner – and the album also includes a duet with Velma Middleton on "Baby It's Cold Outside", and with Ella Fitzgerald on "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" – next to other cuts that include "Christmas Night In Harlem", "Cool Yule", "Zat You Santa Claus", "Christmas In New Orleans", "Moments To Remember", "Winter Wonderland", "White Christmas", and "What A Wonderful World". (Holiday Music, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

(Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Interesting stuff, if not the kind of record you'd put on every day. The album's an interview with Louis Armstrong's wife Lil, and she talks at length about her famous days in the early years of jazz. Segments include "The Young Louis", "Early Life In Chicago", "Return To New Orleans", and "The End Of A Marriage" – and the whole thing's the kind of record that was perfect for the bespectacled jazzbo trad collector of the early 60s. LP, Vinyl record album

As you can probably guess from the title, Carol Sloane and Clark Terry recreate some of the vocal magic of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Verve back in the 50s – but all in ways that are still quite fresh overall! The album's got a much more contemporary feel than you might expect – not in a modern way, but more in the way the trio's used behind the vocals, and the way the whole set's recorded – very much in the manner of some of the best Japanese sessions like this from the same time. Sloane's vocals really seem at the head of the set on most numbers, as Terry only vocalizes part of the time – and plays trumpet or flugelhorn at others, but not on every track. Other players include Bill Charlap on piano, Marcus McLaurine on bass, and Dennis Mackrel on drums – and titles include "Can't We Be Friends", "I Won't Dance", "Tenderly", "Blueberry Hill", "Moonlight In Vermont", "Stars Fell On Alabama", and "Autumn In New York". CD

A great Brubeck side project – featuring music by Dave and lyrics by Iola Brubeck – kind of a reworking of the Gilbert & Sullivan musical, but with a hip 60s swinging jazz vibe – and a story about the importance of American jazz musicians as cultural ambassadors in the postwar years! There's some especially great vocal numbers from Lambert Hendricks & Ross – and Carmen McRae sings a bit in a mode that's similar to her Brubeck albums. And even Louis Armstrong is pretty charming, too! (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

A definite shot at the pop market by Ella Fitzgerald – quite possibly recorded as a follow-up to the 60s success of former singing partner Louis Armstrong, who's referenced nicely in Ella's rendition of the title hit! The first 4 tracks on the set were done in the UK, under the leadership of arranger Johnny Spence – and the remaining 8 were done back on Ella's home turf, with familiar backings by Frank DeVol, and an overall sound that's a bit more lush than those on the British numbers. Includes a hit reading of "Can't Buy Me Love", plus "Hello Dolly", "The Sweetest Sounds", "My Man", "Volare", "The Thrill Is Gone", "How High The Moon", and "Lullaby Of The Leaves". CD

Includes 43 tracks on 2 CDs and features work with Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, the Ink Spots, and Eddie Heywood. CD

Artists include King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Erskine Hawkins, Eddie Durham and more. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Includes 36 tracks and features work with Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, and more. (Blues, Vocalists) CD

Music from Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Bobby Short, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Gloria Lynne, Arthur Prysock, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Della Reese, and more - 18 songs in all. CD

Music from Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, Anita O'Day, Louis Armstrong, Blossom Dearie, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Helen Merrill, and more. CD

Dave Brubeck's probably best known for the instrumental work by his classic quartet on Columbia Records, but during his years at the label, he also recorded some great work with singers too! Most of the tracks on the set are from the years 1960 and 1961 – a time of intense recording for the Brubeck group on Columbia, and a time when Dave's combo was paired with other artists on a variety of different sessions. The most famous of these tracks are probably the ones that feature Carmen McRae, and others are from The Real Ambassadors album – which included Louis Armstrong and Lambert Hendricks & Ross – and a great overlooked date with Jimmy Rushing, who was wrapping up Columbia work at the time. The core combo here features Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums – and titles include "Take Five", "Travelin Blues", "In The Lurch", "Weep No More", and "My One Bad Habit" with Carmen McRae; "My Melancholy Baby", "Ain't Misbehavin", "There'll Be Some Changes Made", and "Blues In The Dark" with Jimmy Rushing; "Since Love Had Its Way" and "Summer Song" with Louis Armstrong; "The Real Ambassador" and "Cultural Exchange with Armstrong and Lambert Hendricks & Ross; "That Old Black Magic" with Tony Bennett; and the incredible "Autumn In Our Town" with Ranny Sinclair – issued here for the first time ever, and a marvelously dark tune that carries echoes of later work by Karin Krog and Monica Zetterlund! (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Music from Louis Armstrong With Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Chet Baker, Astrud Gilberto, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Nina Simone, Anita O'Day, Jack Teagarden, Sarah Vaughan, and more. CD

Classic singers take on the sound of the season – in the kind of collection that really takes aim at those years when the world of Christmas records really started to explode! The tunes here mix some of the paternalistic voices of TV Christmas specials with some that are more in the world of jazz and rock – mixing things up in a nice way, and offering up plenty of classics along the way! Titles include "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra, "Christmas Time All Over The World" by Sammy Davis Jr, "Let It Snow" by Dean Martin, "Winter Wonderland" by Paul Anka, "Christmas Night In Harlem" by Louis Armstrong, "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como, "The Christmas Song" by Mel Torme, "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Ray Charles & Betty Carter, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Frank Sinatra, and "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley. (Holiday Music, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

The ghost of Christmas past comes back to haunt us – but in the grooviest way possible, thanks to a fab selection of old school Holiday tunes from the folks at Bear Family! The music here is mostly from the 40s and 50s – and is mostly vocal overall, sung by artists who move through jazz, R&B, and pop vocal styles – often putting an extra sort of punch in a Christmas tune, with the kind of upbeat, optimistic quality that was often the best part of mainstream postwar music! There's few folks we'd trust more than Bear Family for a collection like this – and they do a great job – with titles that include "Here Comes Santa Claus" by The Mills Brothers, "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" by Lionel Hampton with Sonny Parker, "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" by Ralph Martierie, "The Christmas Spell" by Peggy Lee, "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney" by Ella Fitzgerald, "I Need A Man For Xmas" by Thelma Cooper, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Johnny Mercer, "The Man With The Bag" by Kay Starr, and "Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong. (Holiday Music, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Previously unreleased cuts – and a great set that features rare jazz vocal gems from the Columbia vaults – including a solo cut by Jon Hendricks, 2 Lambert Hendricks & Ross numbers, 2 tracks by Carmen McRae with Louis Armstrong, 3 jazzy numbers by Tony Bennett, a Mose Allison cut, and a rare 1954 recording by The Gordons! LP, Vinyl record album

Includes recordings with the orchestras of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, and Mal Waldron. LP, Vinyl record album

Audiophile compilation with selections by Al Di Meola, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Amber Rubarth, Allan Taylor, Geoffrey Oryema, Hans Theessink & Terry Evans, Nils Lofgren, Kari Bremnes, Mckinley Black, and pieces by Scarlatti and Rossini. (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Includes 27 tracks from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and more. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD