LaVern Sings Bessie Smith

by LaVern Baker

Overview

This is an album that should not have worked. LaVern Baker (a fine R&B singer) was joined by all-stars from mainstream jazz (including trumpeter Buck Clayton, trombonist Vic Dickenson, tenor-saxophonist Paul Quinichette and pianist Nat Pierce) for twelve songs associated with the great '20s blues singer Bessie Smith. Despite the potentially conflicting styles, this project is quite successful and often exciting. The arrangements by Phil Moore, Nat Pierce, and Ernie Wilkins do not attempt to re-create the original recordings; Baker sings in her own style (rather than trying to emulate Bessie Smith), and the hot solos work well with her vocals. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	11/17/2017
Label:	Del Ray
UPC:	8436563181504
Rank:	78946

Album Credits

Performance Credits

LaVern Baker   Primary Artist,Vocals
Buck Clayton   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Wendell Marshall   Guitar (Bass)
Jerome Richardson   Saxophone
Urbie Green   Trombone
Jimmy Cleveland   Trombone
Nat Pierce   Piano
Vic Dickerson   Trombone
Danny Barker   Guitar
Sahib Shihab   Saxophone
Joe Marshall   Drums
Paul Quincette   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Nesuhi Ertegun   Producer
Tom Dowd   Engineer
Turner Layton   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Andy Razaf   Composer
Bessie Smith   Composer
Perry Bradford   Composer
Jimmy Cox   Composer
Harry Eller   Composer
Henry Creamer   Composer
Wesley Wilson   Composer
J.C. Johnson   Composer
Dave Leader   Composer
James Cox   Composer
G.C. Coleman   Composer