The Complete Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess | ||||
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Studio album by various | ||||
Released | 1956 | |||
Recorded | May 1956 | |||
Genre | Show tunes Swing Traditional pop Vocal jazz | |||
Label | Bethlehem Records | |||
Various chronology | ||||
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This 1956 recording based on George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess was the second "complete" recording of the opera after the 1951 version, and the first recording of the work to feature jazz singers and musicians instead of operatic singers and a classical orchestra.
Russell Garcia arranged Gershwin's work for the , the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Australian Jazz Quintet, the Pat Moran Quartet and the . Mel Tormé sang the role of Porgy and Frances Faye the role of Bess. The Ellington Orchestra plays "Summertime" as the overture, but does not appear elsewhere on the album.
Originally released by Bethlehem Records in 1956 (3BP-1); reissued in the 1970s (EXLP-1). Highlights from this recording released by Bethlehem as BCP 6040 and BCP 6009. On CD: Bethlehem Records #BET6028-2 (Released 1994), Rhino Records #75828 (Released 1999).
Cast[]
- Mel Tormé (Porgy)
- Frances Faye (Bess)
- Johnny Hartman (Crown)
- Betty Roche (Clara)
- George Kirby (Sportin' Life)
- Sallie Blair (Serena)
- Frank Rosolino (Jake)
- Loulie Jean Norman (Strawberry Woman)
- (Honey Man)
- Bob Dorough (Crab Man)
- Pat Moran Quartet (Pat Moran McCoy, , , )
Orchestra[]
- Duke Ellington Orchestra): Duke Ellington, piano; William "Cat" Anderson, Willie Cook, Clark Terry (trumpet); Ray Nance (trumpet, violin); Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (trombone); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Jimmy Woode (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums)
- Australian Jazz Quintet: Dick Healey (alto saxophone, flute); (tenor saxophone, bassoon); Jack Brokensha (vibraphone); Bryce Rohde (piano); (bass); Frank Capp (drums)
- : Conte Candoli, (trumpet); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Richie Kamuca (tenor saxophone); Sonny Clark (piano); Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Stan Levey (drums) [1]
External links[]
- Dachslager, Earl L. (Winter 2000). "Various Artists: George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess". Songbirds. Archived from the original on 2000-09-29.
- Production notes from the Jazz Discography Project
- 1956 albums
- Albums arranged by Russell Garcia (composer)
- Bethlehem Records albums
- Duke Ellington albums
- Mel Tormé albums
- Swing albums
- Traditional pop albums
- Vocal jazz albums
- Porgy and Bess music recordings