The 2 LP set will be available this fall
UMe, in conjunction with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, announces a new exclusive double-vinyl collection from Frank Sinatra, featuring his historic collaborations with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, entitled The Giants Of Jazz, out September 26th.
This special release includes a pair of timeless albums—It Might As Well Be Swing with Count Basie and His Orchestra and Francis A. & Edward K. with Duke Ellington—newly remastered from the archival recordings. The package includes a new gatefold jacket design that incorporates rare photographs as well as the original artwork.
It Might As Well Be Swing initially arrived in August 1964. It saw Sinatra accompanied by Basie in tandem with his orchestra on ten tracks for the second time following 1962’s Sinatra-Basie, and it was Sinatra’s first studio album arranged by Quincy Jones. It housed some of his most celebrated material, ranging from “The Best Is Yet To Come” to the definitive recording of “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words).” The latter has eclipsed 766 million Spotify streams, which speaks to its enduring influence and impact over the last 61 years. During 1964, the LP peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.
Famously, the original cover of It Might As Well Be Swing also bears the phrase “A Meeting Of Giants.”
Then, there’s Francis A. & Edward K, first released in January 1968, united Sinatra with Ellington and his big band. Among a bevy of highlights, it features an iconic rendition of “All I Need Is The Girl” and “Indian Summer” that includes a wonderful solo by saxophonist Johnny Hodges. Jazz legends Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope, and others are also part of the Ellington orchestra. Long-time Sinatra arranger, Billy May, did the arrangements for the album.
The release continues a series of sought-after reissues of Sinatra’s most celebrated music. First up, a special four-inch Tiny Vinyl edition of “Jingle Bells/Silent Night” hits shelves well in advance of the holidays on September 12th.
