Warren,
I don't know if your into female singers but the Ella sings the DUke Ellignton songbook is a great package (I have the 4 LP box). About half the tunes are small ensemble the others w/Dukes orchestra. Another that I love is Billie Holiday's "Songs for Destingue Lovers". Harry Edison's trumpet, Ben Webster on tenor sax, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass and Alvin Stoller on drums..... It's killer. You might like the Louis Armstrong/Duke Ellington sessions as well.... Basically Duke setting in with Satchmo's small band.... It smokes.
Chris
I don't know if your into female singers but the Ella sings the DUke Ellignton songbook is a great package (I have the 4 LP box). About half the tunes are small ensemble the others w/Dukes orchestra. Another that I love is Billie Holiday's "Songs for Destingue Lovers". Harry Edison's trumpet, Ben Webster on tenor sax, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass and Alvin Stoller on drums..... It's killer. You might like the Louis Armstrong/Duke Ellington sessions as well.... Basically Duke setting in with Satchmo's small band.... It smokes.
Chris