Toni Harper and The Oscar Peterson Quartet - Toni (Remastered) (2009) [Hi-Res]

In 1956, when Toni Harper was just eighteen years old, she made her first album for Norman Granz's Verve, the label he had started earlier that year. For her debut Harper, who had already made an impact as an almost- baby singer, was backed by none other than Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Alvin Stoller. On display were all the traits that had made her a success: a good voice, a knack for swing, and brilliant intonation. She had traces of Sarah Vaughan in her singing, without ever becoming derivative or getting stuck in any one style. "All I want now," she said, "is to become a good, versatile singer." To underline that, this fine release also includes two recordings she did with Dizzy Gillespie, four tunes issued on two singles with an orchestra under the direction of Buddy Bregman; two tracks from her appearance on the TV show Stars of Jazz, and one last song arranged and conducted by Marty Paich - a handful of great performances by an outstanding singer.