Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington: Song Book One, 1980 on Pablo Today

First of two records of Sarah Vaughan doing Duke Ellington songs recorded in 1979 and released in 1980 (there is a Song Book Two, also released in 1980). Produced by Norman Granz, and engineered by Val Valentin and Bob Simpson.

Supporting artists include Waymon Reed (trumpet), J. J. Johnson (trombone), Frank Foster (tenor sax), Frank Wess (flute, tenor sax), Zoot Sims (tenor sax), Jimmy Rowles & Mike Wofford (piano), Joe Pass & Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Andy Simpkins (bass), and Grady Tate (drums), with Billy Byers arranging and conducting.

Pablo Today was a sub-label that started in 1979 and focused on “non-mainstream jazz” – not sure what that means but I’ve had great luck picking up Pablo records in general.

My copy, via Beatnick Records in Montréal Québec, is an original 1980 US pressing. with “Manufactured by Pablo Records” rim text.

Count Basie and Oscar Peterson, Night Rider, 1980 on Pablo

One of my favorite Pablo records, bringing together two legends: Count Basie and Oscar Peterson, with support from Louis Bellson and John Heard. Produced by Norman Granz and engineered by Val Valentin, with liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

Basie plays organ on “Memories of You” and Peterson plays electric piano on “Blues for Pamela.” The opening 12:38 cut of the title track is, as they say, worth the price of admission on its own.

My copy, via Beatnick Records in Montréal, QC, is a Canadian pressing (Manufactured and Distributed in Canada by RCA Limited).

Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, Ella at Duke’s Place, 1966 on Verve

The album is divided between “The Pretty, The Lovely, The Tender, The Hold-Me-Close Side” and “The Finger-Snapping, Head-Shaking, Toe-Tapping, Go-For-Yourself Side.” Recorded by Val Valentin and produced by Norman Granz (those are his black & white photos), this is Verve at its mid-60s best.

In addition to Ellington and Fitzgerald, personnel included Louis Bellson on drums; John Lamb on […]

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