Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra, 1939-40

Great live dates from the Savoy Ballroom in 1939 and 1940, featuring the band of the recently deceased Chick Webb, now fronted by Ella Fitzgerald. These are terrific recordings - both musically and in sound quality - and feature great solos by Taft Jordan and Bobby Stark on trumpet, Sandy Williams and George Matthews on trombone, Garvin Bushell and Eddie Barefield on clarinet, Hilton Jefferson on alto, Teddy McRae and Lonnie Simmons on tenor, Wayman Carver on flute, Ram Ramirez and Tommy Fulford on piano, John Truehart on guitar, Beverly Peer on bass and Bill Beason on drums.