On February 7, 1956, two weeks afterElla Fitzgerald’sfirst session for Verve records, she was back in the studio with Buddy Bregman and an orchestra recording what is arguably the defining record of her career,Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbookthat helped Verve to become the quintessential jazz label of the 1950s.

Ella, Norman Granz, and Bregman went to Capitols studio in Hollywood and spent three days recording what was to beElla Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Songbook. The combination of Ella and Porter is irresistible and whether up-tempo or down-tempo, Ellas three-octave range voice soars effortlessly as she makes each song come to life. It was all helped by the cream of LA session men and Buddy Bregmans arrangement that oozes sophistication way beyond his twenty-four years. It is a perfect record.