The Hits Collection 1926-56

Very few collections have been based purely on his chart hits, so this 70-track 3-CD collection features just about all his releases on the Okeh, Columbia, Decca and Vocalion labels which were listed as hits during this 30-year period. It features his 1932 No. 1 with “All Of Me”, plus timeless classics like “Muskrat Ramble”, “Chinatown, My Chinatown”, “Body And Soul”, “Shine”, “West End Blues”, and “Jeepers Creepers” right through to his US and UK success with “Mack The Knife” in 1956. Inevitably it features performances with some of the most renowned jazz musicians of the day, like Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds, Earl Hines, Zutty Singleton, Lionel Hampton, Lonnie Johnson and many more. It’s a substantial and entertaining overview of his extraordinary career from a particular standpoint, and a fine showcase for his prowess as one of the true greats of jazz.