Patti Austin and James Morrison - Ella and Louis (ABC 6483)

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

James Morrison is, by anyone’s standards, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word.Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays piano, all the brass, saxophones and the double bass.He deftly displays his prowess on the trumpet and trombone on this newly released double CD with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the American vocalist Patti Austin.The ensemble deliver a warm celebration of the iconic duet recordings of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recorded last year at The Melbourne International Jazz Festival before a live audience.Backing Morrison and Austin and the Orchestra are the outstanding performances of his band musicians, Jake Barden - saxophone,Mark Fitzgibbon - piano,William Morrison - guitar, Harry Morrison - bass and Patrick Danao - drums.Most of the Ella and Louis favourites are included (despite some glaring omissions - (e.g They Can’t Take That Away From Me and Cheek To Cheek ) and these are given sparkling new arrangements with slight hints to the original recordings.Ella and Louis weren’t blessed with the luxurious full sound that this Orchestra provides with Benjamin Northey at the helm so maybe it is best to listen to this album for what it is. A maestro trumpet player alongside a quintessential and sassy jazz singer accompanied by a great orchestra and a standout band rather than just another tribute album.With that criteria it scores extremely well

Barry O’Sullivan