Cat No FM603

· The master of light piano’s 1965 “Cavallaro Plays Ellington” album - on CD for the first time ever, plus the complete album “Cocktails With Cavallaro” (1956) as a bonus. Backed by Al Caiola, guitar, Milt Hinton, bass & Osie Johnson, drums - on the ‘Ellington’ album; and Jimmy Norton (g), Tom O’Neill (b) & Jimmy McArdle (d) on the ‘Cocktails’ session.

· Cavallaro was a well respected musician even outside the “light” and “cocktail” music genres - proven by the fact that none other than Ellington’s longtime friend and collaborator Stanley Dance wrote the original liner notes for the project.

· Carmen Cavallaro (1913-1989) became one of the most renowned stars of the so called “light music” genre, releasing some nineteen albums over the years, and attracting large audiences in concert halls and prestige venues like the New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, Chicago’s Palmer House and Los Angeles’ Coconut Grove.

· In 1963, his hit single “Sukiyaki” sold a million copies. Cavallaro also became famous through radio and film, but his most celebrated film achievement was performing the piano music mimed by actor Tyrone Power in “The Eddy Duchin Story” (1956)

· 24 Tracks - Total Time: 72.18 min. - Splendid sound quality - new and careful 20-bit re-mastering. Includes excellent 16-page booklet.