72-year-old Clark Terry is in exuberant form throughout this very enjoyable disc. On "Duke's Place," ahe constructs a frequently hilarious monologue about a fictional dive, extolling its virtues (mostly food and women) for quite some time without losing momentum or stumbling even once despite the obvious spontaneity. The other selections (tributes to Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong) have many spirited solos from Terry on flugelhorn and wah-wah trombonist Al Grey. The rhythm section is solid and swinging; violinist Lesa Terry (Clark's cousin) is an asset on two numbers. Even if Bob Thiele makes out like a bandit (he is credited with "writing" five of the nine songs, and he and Glenn Osser are listed as co-composers of "For Louis and Duke," a themeless blues), the high spirits and colorful playing of C.T. and Grey make this disc into a delightful hour of joyous music.

4CD Box Set. 72 tracks featuring Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Claude Thornhill, Nat King Cole, Charles Mingus, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, Louis Armstrong, Eartha Kitt, Julie London, Art Pepper and many, many more…

Louis Daniel Armstrong was an American jazz and blues trumpeter and vocalist. Among the most influential figures in jazz, his career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of the genre. Armstrong received numerous accolades including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a posthumous win for the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972. His influence crossed musical genres, with inductions into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, among others.

A jazz pioneer, Louis Armstrong was the first important soloist to emerge in jazz, and he became the most influential musician in the music's history. As a trumpet virtuoso, his playing, beginning with the 1920s studio recordings he made with his Hot Five and Hot Seven ensembles, charted a future for jazz in highly imaginative, emotionally charged improvisation. For this, he is revered by jazz fans. But Armstrong also became an enduring figure in popular music due to his distinctively phrased baritone singing and engaging personality, which were on display in a series of vocal recordings and film roles. He weathered the bebop period of the '40s, growing ever more beloved worldwide. By the '50s, Armstrong was widely recognized, even traveling the globe for the US. .State Department and earning the nickname "Ambassador Satch." His resurgence in the '60s with hit recordings like 1965's Grammy-winning "Hello Dolly" and 1968's classic "What a Wonderful World" solidified his legacy as a musical and cultural icon. In 1972, a year after his death, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Similarly, many of his most influential recordings, like 1928's "West End Blues" and 1955's "Mack the Knife," have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Stars singen die schönsten Weihnachtslieder stands as a massive, beautifully heartwarming, and sweeping four-disc archival masterclass that captures the timeless spirit of international holiday music. Released in 1995 by the specialized label Jingle Bells, this monumental anthology brings together over two and a half hours of immaculate high-fidelity winter classics, blending mid-century vocal pop royalty, deep-fried rhythm and blues, and traditional symphonic arrangements. The 56-track landscape operates with a joyful, comforting kinetic rhythm, shifting fluidly through decades of legendary seasonal anthems. The tracklist flows beautifully across its four movements, moving from early milestones like Bing Crosby's definitive White Christmas, Gene Autry's legendary cowboy holiday tales, and Louis Armstrong's hot jazz charisma to the sweeping gospel presence of Mahalia Jackson and the burning rock & roll guitar drive of Chuck Berry's Run Rudolph Run. Punctuated by traditional carols delivered with pristine choral harmonies by The Cranberry Singers, this unadulterated holiday archive remains an indispensable, time-tested treasure for serious pop collectors and holiday music purists worldwide.

The voices of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong are among the most personal and beautiful that the history of music has given us, transcending eras, genres and languages. In this wonderful 6-CD box we can find the legacy of this immortal duet including all their key tracks and also some rarities that connoisseurs will surely appreciate. With remastered sound and beautiful cover art, The Complete Anthology is the definitive album of Ella & Louis, which should be on every music collection.

After The Break is a spectacularly eclectic, deeply nostalgic, and masterfully sequenced cross-generational compilation album, curated and issued in 1997 by the specialized television marketing division of Sony Music. Spanning nearly 68 minutes across 20 beautifully remastered tracks, this high-fidelity studio document frames a highly compelling retrospective concept: gathering iconic, radio-defining vocal masterpieces that capture an atmospheric, laid-back mood across several musical eras. Rather than restricting itself to a single decade or genre, the anthology fluidly moves between multi-faceted cornerstones of American and British music history, effortlessly weaving together mid-century traditional jazz pop, 60s sunshine folk rock, 70s funk/soul foundations, and late-80s club-infused rhythm and blues.

Jazz' Best is a spectacularly comprehensive, deeply definitive, and historically monumental acoustic jazz anthology released on double-compact disc in 1991 by the legendary Verve Records. Spanning over two hours and twenty minutes across 36 masterfully selected tracks, this high-fidelity archive serves as the ultimate primer and a luxurious overview of mid-century jazz history, gathering the absolute finest vocalists, instrumentalists, and bandleaders from the golden ages of Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, and Bossa Nova. The collection brings together an unparalleled vanguard of jazz royalty, tracing the foundational lineage of the genre through its most iconic pairings and definitive ensemble sessions. Listeners are treated to the sublime, cool jazz breezes of Stan Getz, João and Astrud Gilberto on foundational bossa classics like The Girl From Ipanema and Desafinado, juxtaposed with the timeless, unparalleled vocal chemistry of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on standard pillars like Summertime and Cheek To Cheek. From the block-chord brilliance of The Oscar Peterson Trio and the roaring Hammond B3 wizardry of Jimmy Smith, to the heartbreaking vocal mastery of Billie Holiday and the deep, breathy tenor saxophone dialogues of Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins, every single track represents a historic blueprint. Exceptionally preserved in pristine dual-format lossless and high-bitrate audio with full booklet artwork scans, this sweeping compilation stands as an absolute mandatory cornerstone for beginners and a prized collector's archive for global purists of elite jazz heritage and classic Verve catalog lore.

The 3 Divas is a superb anthology celebrating three of the most influential and iconic female vocalists in jazz history: Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. Released in 2002 by Emporio, this extensive collection presents a rich overview of the unique artistry and timeless recordings that helped define classic vocal jazz throughout the twentieth century. Each singer brings her own unmistakable style and emotional depth to the compilation. Billie Holiday delivers deeply expressive performances filled with melancholy, intimacy, and sophistication, while Sarah Vaughan showcases her extraordinary vocal range, technical brilliance, and warm phrasing. Ella Fitzgerald contributes her trademark elegance, impeccable swing, and joyful improvisational spirit. Supported by legendary musicians including Louis Armstrong on several selections, the collection highlights beloved standards, blues-infused ballads, romantic interpretations, and lively jazz arrangements. The remastered sound and carefully selected repertoire make this release an essential introduction for newcomers and a rewarding retrospective for longtime jazz enthusiasts. The 3 Divas stands as a remarkable tribute to the enduring legacy of these extraordinary vocal pioneers.

One of the key turning points of Louis Armstrong's career occurred at the Town Hall concert fully documented on this two-CD set, a reissue of the earlier two-LP release. Armstrong, who had been leading a big band for 18 years, was showcased with some musical friends who were all very complementary players (including trombonist Jack Teagarden, clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and cornetist Bobby Hackett), and the results were so exciting that Armstrong soon broke up his orchestra to form a similar all-star sextet. The recording quality of some of the numbers from this concert is erratic but the magic of the music definitely comes through. Highlights include a few tunes on which Louis is backed by just a rhythm section (including "Cornet Chop Suey" and an emotional "Dear Old Southland"), definitive versions of "Ain't Misbehavin" and "Back O'Town Blues" and a memorable feature for Jack Teagarden on "St. James Infirmary." Recommended for all Louis Armstrong fans who wish to hear the real birth of his All-Stars.

A century ago, Louis Armstrong changed the course of American music with his Hot Five and Hot Seven recording sessions, producing perhaps the most important records in jazz history. Now, Blue Engine is proud to release Wynton Marsalis’ The Wonderful Word of Louis Armstrong, which finds the famed trumpeter breathing new life into this seminal music alongside celebrated multi-instrumentalist Vince Giordano and members of both their bands.

A cool California concert from Louis Armstrong - surprisingly intimate, despite the setting - and recorded with a less-polished feel than some of his other 50s live dates! There's a relatively spontaneous quality to the music, and the album really helps keep the spirit of the concert intact - offering up snippits of Louis' commentary, and some strong audience response as well. Players include Armstrong on trumpet, Jack Teagarden on trombone, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Earl Hines on piano, Arvell Shaw on bass, and Cozy Cole on drums - and Armstrong sings, and is occasionally joined by Velma Middleton on vocals.

Experience Louis Armstrong at the height of his powers with this definitive 1959 Copenhagen concert, captured just months before his life changing heart attack. Drawn from newly restored Danish radio tapes, SCCD 36513 showcases Armstrong's All Stars in explosive form–fiery "Tiger Rag," soulful "Basin Street Blues," a powerful "Black and Blue/Do You Know What It Means" medley, and joyous favorites like "Mack the Knife" and "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong Recognized worldwide as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the finest female jazz vocalist of all time. Blessed with a highly resonant voice, wide range, and near-perfect elocution, Fitzgerald also possessed a deft sense of swing, and with her brilliant scat technique, could hold her own against any of her instrumental contemporaries. She came to initial popularity as a member of drummer Chick Webb's band in the 1930s, scoring a hit with a "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," before ascending to wide acclaim in the 1940s with Jazz at the Philharmonic and Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band, and issuing landmark performances like "Flying Home" and "How High the Moon." Working with producer/manager Norman Granz, she gained even more acclaim with her series of albums on Verve, recording definitive versions of the music of the Great American Songbook composers, including 1956's Sings the Cole Porter Songbook. Over her 50-year career, she earned 13 Grammy Awards, sold over 40 million albums, and picked up numerous accolades including a National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Producer Norman Granz oversaw two Porgy & Bess projects. The first involved Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and came together during the autumn of 1957 with brassy big band and lush orchestral arrangements by Russ Garcia. This is the classic Verve Porgy & Bess, and it's been reissued many, many times. The second, recorded during the spring and summer of 1976 and issued by RCA, brought Ray Charles together with versatile British vocalist Cleo Laine, backed by an orchestra under the direction of Frank DeVol. A comparison of these two realizations bears fascinating fruit, particularly when the medleys of street vendors are played back to back. Those peasant songs, used in real life to purvey honey, strawberries, and crabs, were gathered and notated by George Gershwin and novelist Du Bose Heyward in 1934 during a visit to Folly Island, a small barrier island ten miles south of Charleston, SC, known today as Folly Beach…