Chris Connor - Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song

Most of this highly recommended two-CD set is taken from a series of 1957 sessions in which singer Chris Connor exclusively interprets songs of George Gershwin. To fill out the CDs, additional Gershwin cuts from other, otherwise unrelated dates by the vocalist have been added. Connor's cool delivery gives many of the largely familiar songs new life. She is assisted by such fine musicians as trumpeter Joe Newman, tenorman Al Cohn, flutist Herbie Mann, vibraphonist Milt Jackson and pianist Ralph Sharon, who add tasteful and concise solos. Many of the selections were quite rare before this well-conceived and appealing reissue was put together. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ahmet Ertegun Producer Al Cohn Sax (Tenor) Al Schmitt Engineer Barry Galbraith Guitar Bill Berry Trumpet Bill Rubinstein Piano Bob Porter Reissue Producer Charlie Sanders Bass Chet Ferretti Trumpet Chris Connor Vocals Danny Bank Sax (Tenor), Sax (Baritone) Doc Severinsen Trumpet Don Sebesky Arranger Ed Shaughnessy Drums Ed Wasserman Sax (Tenor) Eddie Bert Trombone Eddie Costa Vibraphone Eddie DeHaas Bass Eddie Wasserman Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Tenor) Frank Hittner Reeds Gary Kramer Liner Notes Hank Jones Piano Heinz Kubicka Engineer Herbie Mann Flute (Alto), Flute Jaki Byard Piano Jay Maisel Photography Jerry Wexler Producer Jim Thompson Trombone Jimmy Cleveland Trombone Jimmy Thompson Trombone Joe Farrell Reeds Joe Newman Trumpet Joe Puma Guitar Johnny Rodriguez Bongos Kenny Burrell Guitar Kenny Rupp Trombone Lanny Morgan Reeds Lex Humphries Drums Marvin Israel Cover Design Maynard Ferguson French Horn, Trombone, ?, Trumpet Milt Hinton Bass Milt Jackson Vibraphone Mundell Lowe Guitar Nesuhi Ertegun Producer Oscar Pettiford Bass Osie Johnson Drums Peanuts Hucko Clarinet Ralph Burns Arranger, Conductor Ralph Sharon Piano, Celeste, Arranger Ray Ellis Arranger Ray Winslow Trombone Rolf Ericson Trumpet Ronnie Free Drums Rufus "Speedy" Jones Drums Sam Most Flute, Clarinet Stan Free Piano, Arranger Tom Dowd Engineer Vinnie Burke Bass Warren Covington Trombone Wendell Marshall Bass Willie Maiden Reeds