Ella & Louis

Description

Louis Armstrong’s career began nearly 15 years before Ella Fitzgerald’s. Louis was even one of Ella’s first musical idols. In the early 1940s, Ella was already a recognized star. Although Ella and Louis had probably already met and had performed together, they would not be heard in duet until January 1946, when they made the first of a few Decca sessions. These dates had no real concept and were limited to pop tunes of the time. The situation would change radically on the three records they made between 1956 and 1957 for the Verve label. These memorable albums are Ella & Louis, its follow-up, Ella & Louis Again, and the selection of pieces from George Gershwin’s folk opera Porgy & Bess. Their complete Decca master takes have been added as a bonus.