Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert  -  CD

Details

Format

CD(1)

Release Date

10/25/1990

Original Release Date

2/1/1958

Length

60 minutes , 56 seconds

Genre

Classic Pop Vocals

Label

Verve

Studio/Live

Live

Mono/Stereo

Stereo

UPC

042283545427

Release Notes

Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert: Release Notes: Muze 
This was recorded on Ella's 40th Birthday, 1958.Personnel includes: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Lou Levy (piano); Max Bennett (bass); Gus Johnson (drums).Oscar Peterson Trio: Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass).Recorded on April 25, 1958, Ella Fitzgerald's 40th birthday, ELLA IN ROME finds one of the best jazz singers in history at the peak of her powers and not yet even halfway through her long and illustrious career. Norman Granz, head of Verve and Fitzgerald's producer, gives a flowery introduction that Fitzgerald goes on to justify. The opening "St Louis Blues," with an extended, intricate scat solo, is simply transcendent, and the ballads, like a slinky version of Duke Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)," are stunning. The hour-long program also features a small-combo set with the always-amazing Oscar Peterson Quartet and a salute to Louis Armstrong, with whom Fitzgerald had recently recorded three albums. The entire performance is simply remarkable, and a must for Fitzgerald fans.

Credits

Performer Ella Fitzgerald
Producer(s) Norman Granz; Phil Schaap