I Like Louis and Ella

I have always been in awe of Louis Armstrong's (1901-1971) and Ella Fitzgerald's (1917-1996) extraordinary musicianship and creative improvisations, hence the title, I Like Louis and Ella. They performed and recorded together in the 1940s through the 1960s. In the 1950s they produced three duet records: two Ella and Louis albums, and their Porgy and Bess album. I thought the best way to begin to understand their music was to imitate them. I sought to emulate Louis' warm humanity and musical efficiency just the right note at the right time and Ella's skillful and musically satisfying scat singing. There is only one quote in I Like Louis and Ella, the opening trumpet statement, but the rest of the music was written as my own impressions of their unique stylings.