Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Ella & Louis
Released: 1956
Label: His Master’s Voice

Ella and Louis were accompanied by the Oscar Peterson Quartet for this 1956 release, and it is primarily a vocal album, and a charming one. Having previously collaborated in the late 1940s for the Decca label, this was the first of three albums that Fitzgerald and Armstrong were to record together for Verve Records, later followed by 1957’s Ella and Louis Again and 1959’s Porgy and Bess.

Norman Granz, the founder of the Verve label, selected eleven ballads for Fitzgerald and Armstrong, all in a slow or moderate tempo, which gives this album an overall laid back feel, and even though their voices are poles apart, they really do seem to work together quite beautifully.

This has been on my want list for quite a while now and I really must try harder to track it down. I could just order a copy from Amazon of course, but I’d much rather dig for it in the wild and maybe get an earlier pressing than a recent re-release.

Tracklist
Can’t We Be Friends
Isn’t This A Lovely Day
Moonlight In Vermont
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
Under A Blanket Of Blue
Tenderly
A Foggy Day
Stars Fell On Alabama
Cheek To Cheek
The Nearness Of You
April In Paris

Here are ten interesting facts about Ella & Louis, the classic 1956 jazz album by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong:

1. First of Three Iconic Collaborations – Ella & Louis was the first of three duet albums the two jazz legends recorded together, followed by Ella and Louis Again (1957) and Porgy and Bess (1959).
2. Produced by Norman Granz – The album was produced by Norman Granz, the founder of Verve Records, who was instrumental in shaping jazz history and promoting racial integration in music.
3. Backed by the Oscar Peterson Trio – The album features stellar accompaniment by pianist Oscar Peterson, bassist Ray Brown, guitarist Herb Ellis, and drummer Buddy Rich, providing a smooth and sophisticated backdrop.
4. Relaxed and Intimate Feel – The recordings have a warm, conversational quality, as Fitzgerald and Armstrong’s contrasting vocal styles complement each other beautifully—her smooth elegance against his raspy charm.
5. Minimal Rehearsal, Maximum Chemistry – The album was reportedly recorded with little rehearsal, relying on the natural chemistry and improvisational talents of the two artists.
6. Features Great American Songbook Classics – The album includes timeless jazz standards like Can’t We Be Friends?, Cheek to Cheek, and They Can’t Take That Away from Me, many of which became definitive versions.
7. Armstrong’s Trumpet Playing Shines – Though known for his gravelly voice, Armstrong also plays his signature trumpet solos throughout the album, adding his unmistakable swing and energy.
8. Critically Acclaimed Upon Release – The album was met with immediate praise and has since been regarded as one of the greatest jazz vocal albums of all time.
9. Timeless Appeal – Decades after its release, Ella & Louis remains one of the best-selling jazz albums, continuing to introduce new generations to the magic of classic jazz.
10. A Landmark for Jazz Duets – The effortless interplay between Fitzgerald and Armstrong set the standard for vocal jazz duets, influencing countless artists and collaborations in the genre.