Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin - the vocal jazz versions!

by Tony Magee

From my research, I’ve discovered five vocal jazz versions of Gershwin’s folk opera Porgy and Bess.

The best known and possibly greatly loved is that by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, released in 1959 on Verve.

Almost equally admired, certainly by me and most other music lovers is that by Cleo Laine and Ray Charles, released in 1976 on London Crossover, recorded by RCA.

Both were produced by Norman Granz.

But there are three others, also wonderful:

Mel Tormé and Frances Faye on Bethlehem Records

Sammy Davis Jnr and Carmen McRae on Decca, released 1959

Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne on RCA, released 1959

Dig them out from your collection, or purchase them if you don’t already own them. As you would expect, the interpretations, orchestral arrangements and stylistic phrasing are all different, but all equally valid.

Here they are!