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Albums First Released in 1956

Rock and roll moved quickly into the album era, while vocal jazz and hard bop remained central to the LP market. Among the defining albums released in 1956 were Ella and Louis by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley, Songs for Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra and Pithecanthropus Erectus by Charles Mingus.

Two markets were growing at once in 1956: jazz musicians were using the LP for focused albums, while Elvis Presley helped turn rock and roll into an album-buying culture.

Browse new vinyl editions alongside second-hand copies.

Our Pick of the Year: Ella and Louis by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Ella and Louis brought Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong together with the Oscar Peterson Quartet for a set of relaxed standards. Their voices differ sharply, but that contrast gives Cheek to Cheek, Stars Fell on Alabama and April in Paris an easy conversational quality. The album remains one of the clearest introductions to vocal jazz.

Explore the year before or after

1955 Vinyl Records  |  1957 Vinyl Records  |  All years