Louis Armstrong’s career began nearly 15 years before Ella Fitzgerald’s. In fact, Louis was one of Ella’s first musical idols. By the early Forties, Ella was already a wellknown star. Although both Ella and Louis had probably met and performed together previously, they wouldn’t be heard on record as a duet until January 1946, when they waxed the first of a few Decca sessions. These dates had no real concept and were limited to pop tunes from that period. The situation would dramatically change on the three LPs they made between 1956 and 1957 for producer Norman Granz’s Verve label. Those memorable albums were Ella & Louis (Verve MGV-4003, presented here), its sequel Ella & Louis Again, and the selection of tunes from George Gershwin’s folk opera Porgy & Bess. Their complete Decca master takes have been added as a bonus.

ELLA FITZGERALD, vocalsLOUIS ARMSTRONG, trumpet & vocalsOSCAR PETERSON, pianoHERB ELLIS, guitarRAY BROWN, bassBUDDY RICH, drumsHollywood, August 16, 1956.Original session produced by Norman Granz.*BONUS TRACKS (12-19): The Decca Duets ELLA FITZGERALD, vocals; LOUIS ARMSTRONG, trumpet & vocals. Plus orchestras conducted by Bob Haggart, Sy Oliver & Dave Barbour. Recorded in New York and Los

• 1. Can't We Be Friends?
• 2. Isn't This a Lovely Day?
• 3. Moonlight In Vermont
• 4. They Can't Take That Away From Me
• 5. Under a Blanket of Blue
• 6. Tenderly
• 7. A Foggy Day
• 8. Stars Fell On Alabama
• 9. Cheek To Cheek
• 10. The Nearness of You
• 11. April In Paris
• 12. You Won't Be Satisfied (Bonus Track)
• 13. The Frim Fram Sauce (Bonus Track)
• 14. Dream a Little Dream of Me (Bonus Track)
• 15. Can Anyone Explain? (Bonus Track)
• 16. Necessary Evil (Bonus Track)
• 17. Oops (Bonus Track)
• 18. Would You Like To Take a Walk? (Bonus Track)
• 19. Who Walks In When I Walk Out? (Bonus Track)