Jazz producer Norman Granz convinced Ray to record George Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess”. Ray’s first choice for the role of Bess was Gladys Knight but contractual difficulties made it impossible, and Cleo Laine was selected to sing the role. Frank DeVol arranged the music and conducted the 78-piece orchestra. Great instrumental artists like Joe Sample, Lee Ritenour, Joe Pass and Ernie Watts are just some of the many gifted in the orchestra. The album made it to #14 on the Billboard Jazz Album Charts.

Tracks

Summertime
My Man’s Gone Now
A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
They Pass By Singing
What You Want With Bess
I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’
Buzzard Song
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Oh, Doctor Jesus
Crab Man
Here Come De Honey Man
Strawberry Woman
It Ain’t Necessarily So
There’s A Boat That’s Leavin’ Soon For New York
I Loves You, Porgy
Oh Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess
Oh Lord, I’m On My Way