Leo Reisman – Maestro Sophisticate

Leo Reisman was one of the most refined and influential bandleaders of the 1920s and ’30s — a musician whose orchestra blended dance‑band warmth with a sophisticated, almost classical sense of phrasing and balance. Maestro Sophisticate gathers 24 beautifully performed selections that highlight the elegance, precision and star‑studded collaborations that defined his long career.

The programme opens with Lew Conrad’s smooth vocals on Moanin’ Low and What Is This Thing Called Love?, followed by Frank Luther’s expressive readings of You Do Something to Me, Will You Remember Vienna and I Bring a Love Song. Lee Wiley appears with a poised performance of Time on My Hands, while Lee Sullivan contributes Rosalie and Have You Met Miss Jones?, adding further tonal variety.

Fred Astaire brings his unmistakable charm to Hoops (with Adele Astaire) and the iconic Night and Day, while Harold Arlen delivers a rich, atmospheric Stormy Weather. Other highlights include Clifton Webb’s Not for All the Rice in China, Felix Knight’s The Moon of Manakoora, Anita Boyer’s Ferry‑Boat Serenade, Now I Lay Me Down to Dream and My Sister and I, and Phil Duey’s tender Your Dream.

The set closes with Jack Kitty’s warm vocals on You’re Nearer, Mimi and Love Walked In, along with a graceful rendition of Penthouse Serenade (When We’re Alone) — a fitting finale to a programme steeped in charm and orchestral finesse.

Altogether, Maestro Sophisticate is a polished, beautifully curated tribute to Leo Reisman’s artistry — a portrait of a bandleader whose elegance and musical intelligence helped define the golden age of American popular music.

Track Listing

1. Moanin’ Low – Lew Conrad
2. You Do Something To Me – Frank Luther
3. What Is This Thing Called Love? – Lew Conrad
4. Will You Remember Vienna – Frank Luther
5. I Bring A Love Song – Frank Luther
6. Time On My Hands – Lee Wiley
7. Rosalie – with Lee Sullivan
8. Hoops – Fred & Adele Astaire
9. Night And Day – Fred Astaire
10. Stormy Weather – Harold Arlen
11. Not For All The Rice In China – Clifton Webb
12. La Cumparsa
13. Have You Met Miss Jones? – Lee Sullivan
14. When Love Beckoned – Gertrude Neisen
15. The Moon Of Manakoora – Felix Knight
16. Ferry – Boat Serenade – Anita Boyer
17. Your Dream – Phil Duey
18. Poor Butterfly
19. Now I Lay Me Down To Dream – Anita Boyer
20. You’re Nearer – Jack Kitty
21. My Sister And I – Anita Boyer
22. Penthouse Serenade (When We’re Alone)
23. Mimi – Jack Kitty
24. Love Walked In – Jack Kitty