Maxine Sullivan was a stylish and versatile jazz and big band singer who was active in music for over half a century into the 1980s but whose most important recordings were during the first decade or so of her career from the late 30s through the 1940s. She came to the fore as vocalist with Claude Thornhills innovative orchestra, and had a sur[prise hit with a version of the traditional song Loch Lomond which established a professional style and profile which enabled her to work as a solo artist, accompanied not only by Thornhill but by some of the other important names of that era, including John Kirby, Frankie Newton, Charlie Shavers, Bobby Hackett, Teddy Wilson, Benny Carter and Ellis Larkins.

This excellent-value 75-track 3-CD set comprises a significant proportion of her recordings from these years as she recorded for the Vocalion, Brunswick, Victor, Bluebird, Decca, Davis, Musicraft, DeLuxe, International and Apollo labels, encompassing performances across the jazz spectrum from big band to sessions in an intimate trio environment, as well as sophisticated renditions of pop songs that place her alongside some of the finest song interpreters of that era. It naturally includes her chart hits Loch Lomond, Nice Work If You Can Get It and My Ideal. The collection offers a substantial and fairly comprehensive overview of her work during her key formative years, and is also a thoroughly enjoyable showcase for a distinctive and sometimes underestimated talent.

REVIEWS

“This 75 track collection is a real treasure containing so much good music it would take up the rest of this month's magazine to do it justice! This is a set which I shall return to many times and it is a pretty definitive survey of this glorious period in Maxine Sullivan's lengthy career. Warmly recommended”  –  Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 333)

“Maxine enjoyed considerable commercial success durin the period covered by this compilation. Her clear diction, strong rhythm and intelligent approach to lyrics were obviously influential upon the young Ella Fitzgerals and Peggy Lee. If truth be told, I prefer Maxine's later recordings, but that's not to downgrade the importance and quality of the first half of her career, which is completely accounted for in this bargain price 3CD compilation.”  –  Jim Denham (Just Jazz Issue 260)

“As a broad introduction to this fine singer, this is an excellent 3CD starter, including his work with Claude Thornhill, John Kirby, Bennny Carter, and (Sowing the seeds of her later career with the WGJB) with Bob Haggart's orchestra.”  –  Alyn Shipton (Jazzwise Issue 248)

“Maxine Sullivan;s prolific recording career is captured in this eclectic mix of sessions. It's not the full story and I pleased to learn more from the excellent notes which accompany this collection supplied by Paul Watts. Sullivan was a well-loved and much respected artist who inspired many musicians and singers. It was a pleasure to have this opportunity to study her recorded work and learn more about the singer behind the voice.”  –   Val Wiseman (The Jazz Rag Issue 159)

“Her warm voice, gentle and supple, was clear in tone and accurate in pitch and diction. Her contained but easy swinging phrasing, delivered with almost casual, relaxed ease and poise, eschewed showy embellishment. Maxine was no hell-raiser, and most of these recordings are quite laid back. But her so enjoyable singing is undeniably top-class in such golden standards as Night And Day, What A Difference A Day Made, Every Time We Say Goodbye (standing up well in comparison with Ella), Skylark and Come Rain Or Come Shine. There’s also much fine jazz to be enjoyed in the distinguished backing. Full discographical details and notes are given in the commendably informative booklet. A deserved tribute to an outstanding yet often overlooked artist.”  –  Hugh Rainey (Jazz Journal Winter 2019)