Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Hi Richmon, 
Thanks for the kind comments.  I do not dislike Barber and I am familiar with her music.  That’s why I acknowledged these preferences are nothing but personal.  Don't know if you are familiar with or listen to Sarah Vaughan but here are a few examples of her marvelous talent. 

"Sarah Vaughan +2" Early 1960s recording. 
"After Hours " another excellent early 1960s studio recording. 
"How Long Has This Been Going On " 1978. Features Oscar Peterson  and Joe Pass, need I say more? 😊

Carmen McRae "The Great American Songbook " which  Frank suggested is an excellent live jazz venue recording from the early 1970s. Joe Pass is featured. 
"Bittersweet " 1964 studio. 
"Velvet Soul"  Early 1970s. 
All  of these are terrific in my opinion. 
Charles 

Frank,
Good point about Sarah maintaining her voice late into her career,  I feel the same about Mel Torme's  voice longevity. 
Charles 

I recently saw Brad Mehldau do a solo show doing Bach and Bach-ish improv on an unamplified Steinway. The sound was amazing (Sanders Theater near Harvard), and Brad is a friggin' genius (a step up from regular genius). I have a lot of his recordings and sonically they're  generally balanced and great sounding things, avoiding the "30 foot wide drum kit" sound and obvious digital effects…highly recommended.

Wolf,
Mehldau, is someone I’m only vaguely aware of. Are there any generally "straight ahead " jazz genre recordings you’d recommend as an introduction to him? I’m glad the 30 foot wide drum kit is excluded.
Thanks,
Charles

Charles ...

I was fortunate to have seen what I believe to be Ella's last concert. It was at the Hollywood Bowl and the co-star was Mel Torme.

Ella, the poor thing, had glaucoma to such a degree that she had to be led onto the stage by Torme and a stage  hand. As she began to sing, her voice warbled in the way of old folks ... the way in which we will all sound if we are fortunate  to live long enough.  With each song, you could hear the greatness of the "young" Ella trying to force her way through the aged vocal chords, but never making it. The audience, the conductor, the orchestra members all treated Ella with the utmost respect out of the memory of what was once stellar.  I needed several tissues.

And Torme? Great as always. A little known factoid about Torme: He made most of  his money throughout his career as an arranger for major orchestras. He was a musician extraordinaire and a genuine song stylist.

Wolf-Garcia ...

I'm listening to Brad Mehldau on Spotify as I'm writing this. The guy is really good. Thanks for the recommendation.  Man, do I have a problem being hung up on 40's and 50's jazz. I've never heard of Brad Mehldau before. I hear the influences of Monk and Bud Powell in his playing ... even a little Bill Evans. I like it. I need to get out more. :-)

Frank