1956 · Album
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book
Recorded 1956 · Verve Records · Produced by Norman Granz
Ella Meets Cole: A Perfect Match
Ella's voice finds something in Cole Porter's songs that even the composer himself might have missed.
When Ella Fitzgerald decided to tackle Cole Porter's catalog, she wasn't breaking new ground—she was simply doing what she did best, which is to say she made it sound inevitable. The Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956) stands as one of those albums where artist and material align so completely that you can't imagine anyone else owning these songs quite the way she does. Porter's wit and sophistication sit comfortably with Ella's phrasing and warmth. She doesn't overwork the material or try to make it hers through radical reinvention. Instead, she inhabits these songs with the ease of someone who understands that the best interpretation is often the clearest one.
What makes this collection remarkable is how Ella handles Porter's trickier numbers. "Night and Day" becomes less about dramatic intensity and more about the quiet certainty of someone who knows exactly what she wants to say. "I Get a Kick Out of You" swings with genuine pleasure rather than performance. She glides through the complex harmonic changes without calling attention to them, the way a truly secure musician does. The arrangements support rather than showcase her, which means you're always listening to the song, not the technique.
This is essential Ella, the kind of album that works whether you're a committed jazz listener or someone just discovering her. It's neither her most adventurous work nor her most casual—it's her being exactly what the material needs. If you're new to Ella, start here. You'll understand quickly why her voice was considered the gold standard. The album hasn't aged a day, which says everything about how well she captured Porter's melodies and meanings.
Who's playing
Joe Mondragondouble bass
George Robertsbass trombone
Paul Smithpiano
Barney Kesselguitar
Bob Coopertenor saxophone
Herb Gelleralto saxophone
Chuck Gentrybaritone saxophone
Ted Nashtenor saxophone
Bud Shankalto saxophone
Pete Candolitrumpet
Harry “Sweets” Edisontrumpet
Maynard Fergusontrumpet
Conrad Gozzotrumpet
Milt Bernharttrombone
Joe Howardtrombone
Lloyd Ulyatetrombone
Alvin Stollerdrums
Corky Haleharp
Robert La Marchinacello
Edgar Lustgartencello
Where next?
More by Ella Fitzgerald
Wishes You a Swinging Christmas 1960
Ella and Louis 1956
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book 1956
Ella And Louis Again 1957
The musicians on this record
Barney Kessel, Volume 3: "To Swing or Not to Swing" 1955
Barney Kessel
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
♫
Shifting Winds 1955
Bob Cooper
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
