Music Pick: Louis and Ella

Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) and Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) made three albums together in the mid 1950's that rank among the finest jazz pairings ever. In this August 16, 1956, feature, Under a Blanket of Blue, Louis shows why he's considered a vocal equal to the superb Ella, or any other singing great for that matter, gravelly voice and all. He actually excelled at and preferred easy going romantic ballads to hot barnburners. He caresses the opening verse and then plays understated trumpet underneath Ella's pristine voice and phrasing in the second verse. Every one of their several dozen songs on these three albums is worth hearing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Nh77B9DpsI