“THE COTTON CONNECTION.” Teresa Brewer-Mercer Ellington. Doctor...

“THE COTTON CONNECTION.” Teresa Brewer-Mercer Ellington. Doctor Jazz 40031. This is not the Ellington orchestra but a New York pick-up group with Al Cohn, Al Grey et al., along with some of Mercer’s regular sidemen. “Creole Love Call” again appears, this time with effective vocal overdubbing by Brewer. Her participation in “Ring Dem Bells” and “Duke’s Place” seems arbitrary and trivial; she’s much better suited to “Stormy Weather,” her best cut. 3 stars.