Ella & Louis

Description

Oscar Peterson on piano, Buddy Rich on drums, Herb Ellis on guitar, and Ray Brown on bass: even without the two protagonists on vocals (and trumpet), this record by the instrumental quartet was bound to be excellent. But with Ella and Louis, it’s even better. The jazz is smooth, soft, and fluffy like a comforter. The repertoire comes from the golden age of vocal jazz, featuring classics composed by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, and a few others. And the performances by Ella and Louis are sublime, two voices like warm winds intertwining and creating little whirlwinds of sweetness. A comforting record of absolute class, which will remind all lovers of American song (well beyond jazz) of their first emotions.