Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and bandleader/pianist Count Basie came together on a July (15 & 16) 1963 date arranged by Quincy Jones. It was originally issued as Ella & Basie!. It was later reissued with slightly different cover art as On the Sunny Side of the Street. The music remained the same, a controlled, tough big band hiply backing the wonderful swinging of Fitzgerald. About the only way one could have improved with this combination would have been to turn them loose, extemporizing in front of a live audience. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide