This album is a rarity in Ella Fitzgerald's discography, as it focuses exclusively on the blues. It was recorded in January 1963 in New York with a small group led by pianist and arranger Lou Levy.
The repertoire includes blues standards such as 'St. Louis Blues' and 'Basin Street Blues', showcasing a more earthy and soulful side of Fitzgerald. The album was not a major commercial success but was well received by critics.
Producer Norman Granz intended to showcase Fitzgerald's skill for the blues, a genre she mastered but rarely recorded in full. The sessions were informal and spontaneous, capturing the essence of the genre.