Special Edition 1951

Big band leader and arranger Sonny Burke backed greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, but his own orchestra's performances, which specialized in a polished, pop take on big band swing, is nothing to shake a stick at. SPECIAL EDITION 1951 captures Burke's orchestra in action, serving up ample doses of freewheeling, large ensemble jazz. The performances are impressive, but it's Burke's skills as an arranger that make the tunes stand out.