At Newport

Read About This Recording

Three of the finest jazz singers of all-time each performed at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival. Ella Fitzgerald was at the height of her powers, a level at which she would remain for another 15 years. Backed by a trio led by pianist Don Abney, Ella digs happily into such numbers as "I Got It Bad," "Lullaby of Birdland" and "April in Paris," always swinging hard. She imitates Louis Armstrong on "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" and scats up a storm on "Air Mail Special."

Billie Holiday was near the end of her career in 1957 but still had plenty left. With sympathetic backing by the Mal Waldron Trio, Lady Day performs such songs as "Nice Work If You Can Get It," an emotional "My Man" and Herbie Nichols' "Lady Sings the Blues."

Carmen McRae was just beginning to gain attention for her behind-the-beat phrasing and distinctive voice. During her portion of this CD, she is joined by two different trios (with either Ray Bryant or Junior Mance on piano) and makes such songs as "I'll Remember April," "Midnight Sun" and "Perdido" sound fresh and new.

Even 47 years later, few female jazz singers (other than Sarah Vaughan) have ever reached the level of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae.

—Scott Yanow

Extended Article

In 1957 the Newport Jazz Festival had established itself as the premiere live event on the jazz calendar. Also in 1957, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae were three of the greatest singers jazz had ever heard.

So what's more unbelieveable: that these performers appeared on successive nights on the same stage, or that a complete issue of their work there, though recorded, has never been released?

Here are the complete sets that Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae performed.

Contents

This Can't Be Love; I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good); Body and Soul; Too Close For Comfort; Lullaby of Birdland; I've Got a Crush on You; I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter; April in Paris; Air Mail Special; I Can't Give You Anything but Love; Nice Work If You Can Get It; Willow, Weep for Me; My Man; Lover, Come Back to Me; Lady Sings the Blues; What a Little Moonlight Can Do; I'll Remember April; Body and Soul; McRae introduces Skyliner; Skyliner; McRae introduces the band and Midnight Sun; Midnight Sun; Love Is Here To Stay; Perdido.

Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Vocals; Don Abney, Mal Waldron, Ray Bryant, Junior Mance, Pianos; Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin, Ike Isaacs, Basses; Jo Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Charles Specs Wright, Drums.

CD Special Features

Over 70 minutes of music including Carmen McRae's previously unissued set.

• Nine previously unissued bonus tracks.

• Meticulous audio restoration.

• High-resolution, 96 kHz, 24-bit digital transfer.

• New liner notes, photographs, original cover art and more.