This album is the eighth in Ella Fitzgerald's Song Book series, dedicated to composer Jerome Kern. It was recorded in Los Angeles in May 1963 with arrangements and direction by Nelson Riddle.
The selection includes Kern classics such as 'Ol' Man River' and 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes', showcasing Fitzgerald's versatility. The album reached number 99 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Producer Norman Granz aimed to capture the essence of the Great American Songbook. Critics praised Fitzgerald's performance, though some noted that Kern's material was less well-known than that of other composers in the series.