Description
The 27 tunes on this CD are comprised from three broadcasts in January, 1945, in New York City at the CBS radio studios. The music on this 72-minute CD are previously unreleased. Mildred Bailey performs with the Paul Baron Orchestra, including trumpeters Charlie Shavers & Roy Eldridge, pianist Teddy Wilson, vibraphonist Red Norvo and drummer Specs Powell. The repertoire performed by Mildred Bailey includes several Ellington numbers, pop tunes, traditional & swing jazz standards, and even gospel and ragtime. Mildred Bailey has a great voice and was in her prime at the time of these recordings in 1945 – she has a bright, sunny vocal timbre, a shimmery vibrato and a musician’s ear for rhythmic variation and phrasing.
Besides the excellent soloists in Paul Baron’s orchestra, there are also great guest appearances by Tommy Dorsey, Earl Hines and drummer Cozy Cole. Mildred Bailey was a contemporary of Billie Holiday but never received the same degree of fame, in spite of her great talent – this CD should help give Mildred Bailey the recognition she deserves. Mildred Bailey’s voice radiates swing, good cheer and warmth.