It is generally acknowledged that Ella's really great years were the mid 50s, the period covered by this box set when she was recording with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Ellis Larkins.

The first half of Ella's career is represented on this 4CD set,from her beginnings as singer with Chick Webb, via her own big band leading days & duets with the likes of Louis Armstrong & Louis Jordan to her emergence as the queen of scat in