This essay and the next one make up a “master class” on improvisation: Five performances by Ella Fitzgerald of Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train,” all recorded during ten.
My favorite rendition of the song from Ella is the 1957 version that was recorded with Duke’s band but I really enjoyed her stretching out on these live quartet recordings.
Can’t wait to see the video material in the 2nd post !
Great stuff, and a part of Ella's work I've not explored much. A great addition to her legacy, including her wonderful sessions with Louis, which I consider a high point in all of musical history. Thanks for showing it.
My musical tastes lean to both harmonically interesting writing and playing, and expressive storytelling, thus my love of Pres, Billie, Barry, Chet, Desmond, Bill Evans, Carmen, Trane's ballad playing, Hartman, Bill Henderson, Irene Kral, and others in that vein. Ella often hits it for me in her songbook things, especially Rodgers and Hart. What this really brings home is that there's so much of the jazz legacy that's wonderful, and very different, and the some of the most interesting artists are multi-dimensional.
Thanks for these nice thoughts. Honestly, I've been a Billie fan since I was 15, and Ella is so different, but eventually I grew to love Ella's work too, as you can see—and hear! Happy New Year!
I know this isn't a controversial take, but I've always felt there's basically TWO Ella Fitzgeralds. There's "Studio Ella," who is marvelous, of course. But "Live Ella," is literally super human. Out of this world. If you just listen to her studio recordings, I don't think you can truly appreciate how singularly astonishing a talent she possessed.
Truly mind-blowing. What a fantastic talent as a pure musician and as a singer; it’s so good to be remembered of it from time to time. I don't know any other singer who is able to convey such a "joie de vivre", and who is also capable to make it look so easy.
I saw Ella with the Duke Ellington and Orchestra at Norm Grantz “Jazz at the Philharmonic”, Detroit Symphony Hall mid 60’s. It was so incredible, the connection between Duke and Ella was mesmerizing, I remember thinking they were a couple! What did I know, I was 13, my friends were home listening to the Beatles. This brought it all back to me. Thank you so much for this. What a start to my New Year!
I have another one, truly. Duke and his Orchestra came to a small college outside of Detroit with a large Chapel to do a concert of his sacred music followed by a presentation of his familiar compositions. I was trying to become a drummer and was in by some local jazz
musicians who were serving to host Duke and the Orchestra and be there while setting up. They asked me if I would like to come and meet some of the players. I was running a bit late and hurrying through the back and the practice rooms, out of the corner of my eye I saw him elegant as could be and exclaimed “your Duke Ellington!” He said “ yes I am, and who might you be?”. Told my name, how much I loved his music. He asked me what I liked and told him the classics, “Take the A Train, Satin Doll but I must have been crazy because I said there’s a composition you do but didn’t write that I like to practice to, “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be”. He smiled nodded and said “well you should go and meet some of the band”. I went to the Chapel and met Russel Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Cootie Williams and Bunny Briggs (who later danced David Danced Before The Eyes Of The Lord. Sam Woodyard was the drummer, he said to me “I hear you’re a drummer”. I said very sheepishly I’m trying. To which he replied “I know what you mean, sometimes you got it and sometimes you just ain’t sh__”. That night when I came back for the concert, looking for a seat I see Russel Procope motioned to me to come up front and pointed to a seat in the front row they had saved for me. If that wasn’t enough after a brief intermission, Duke came back out and said “We would like to present for you some my familiar compositions but first we will do a number that is a favorite of a young man that I met here today “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be”!
If you read this, I don’t tell this story often, but I tell it to people who realize what a magnificent, musician, composer and human being he was and is. I think one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. I have always and always will
Wonderful analysis of Ella's improvisational approach.
As other posts have suggested Ella was probably our most versatile singer. She excelled at everything except maybe the blues, typically didn't convey a basic sense of survival. I'd say the same about Coleman Hawkins and Teddy Wilson. And she had the pipes and unlimited swing of course.
I think of her as three-sided:
Jazzical where she would throw away the lyrics, zero in mainly on rhythm typically with a small band including a horn or two. Ella became a horn herself as in the "Take the A Train" excursions.
Cabaretish where she interpreted lyrics or at least conveyed a sense of the lyrics. She would recompose the melody, transporting her performance to the next level.
Conversational duets with just a piano or guitar. My favorite Ella, especially the records with Ellis Larkins.
Thanks Lewis and Jim. Maybe you're aware of Ella's 1973 reunion with Larkins, part of her Newport Jazz Festival concert. Only three tunes and Ella's voice is starting to warble, but again they're stunningly exciting partners.
Around that time Larkins collaborated with the meticulous Anita Ellis on a record (A Legend Sings) similar in spirit that's definitely worth hearing.
I heard a Larkins trio accompany Joe Williams in Las Vegas where Joe settled later in life. That partnership didn't click to full potential I think because intuitive exploration was not part of Joe's DNA.
This is a great new year opener from Lewis !
My favorite rendition of the song from Ella is the 1957 version that was recorded with Duke’s band but I really enjoyed her stretching out on these live quartet recordings.
Can’t wait to see the video material in the 2nd post !
Happy New Year to all :)
Thanks much and Happy New Year
Great stuff, and a part of Ella's work I've not explored much. A great addition to her legacy, including her wonderful sessions with Louis, which I consider a high point in all of musical history. Thanks for showing it.
My musical tastes lean to both harmonically interesting writing and playing, and expressive storytelling, thus my love of Pres, Billie, Barry, Chet, Desmond, Bill Evans, Carmen, Trane's ballad playing, Hartman, Bill Henderson, Irene Kral, and others in that vein. Ella often hits it for me in her songbook things, especially Rodgers and Hart. What this really brings home is that there's so much of the jazz legacy that's wonderful, and very different, and the some of the most interesting artists are multi-dimensional.
Thanks for these nice thoughts. Honestly, I've been a Billie fan since I was 15, and Ella is so different, but eventually I grew to love Ella's work too, as you can see—and hear! Happy New Year!
Thank you. Great read.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
I know this isn't a controversial take, but I've always felt there's basically TWO Ella Fitzgeralds. There's "Studio Ella," who is marvelous, of course. But "Live Ella," is literally super human. Out of this world. If you just listen to her studio recordings, I don't think you can truly appreciate how singularly astonishing a talent she possessed.
I agree. She gets an intensity going on stage that is really something. THANK YOU SETH and Happy New Year!
She will always be the true Queen of Jazz.
You said it! Happy New Year!
Truly mind-blowing. What a fantastic talent as a pure musician and as a singer; it’s so good to be remembered of it from time to time. I don't know any other singer who is able to convey such a "joie de vivre", and who is also capable to make it look so easy.
Great comments indeed. THANK YOU THIERRY and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you Lewis!
I saw Ella with the Duke Ellington and Orchestra at Norm Grantz “Jazz at the Philharmonic”, Detroit Symphony Hall mid 60’s. It was so incredible, the connection between Duke and Ella was mesmerizing, I remember thinking they were a couple! What did I know, I was 13, my friends were home listening to the Beatles. This brought it all back to me. Thank you so much for this. What a start to my New Year!
Great story! That's amazing that you saw Ella with Duke! Thanks for sharing that. Happy New Year JUSTIN!
I have another one, truly. Duke and his Orchestra came to a small college outside of Detroit with a large Chapel to do a concert of his sacred music followed by a presentation of his familiar compositions. I was trying to become a drummer and was in by some local jazz
musicians who were serving to host Duke and the Orchestra and be there while setting up. They asked me if I would like to come and meet some of the players. I was running a bit late and hurrying through the back and the practice rooms, out of the corner of my eye I saw him elegant as could be and exclaimed “your Duke Ellington!” He said “ yes I am, and who might you be?”. Told my name, how much I loved his music. He asked me what I liked and told him the classics, “Take the A Train, Satin Doll but I must have been crazy because I said there’s a composition you do but didn’t write that I like to practice to, “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be”. He smiled nodded and said “well you should go and meet some of the band”. I went to the Chapel and met Russel Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Cootie Williams and Bunny Briggs (who later danced David Danced Before The Eyes Of The Lord. Sam Woodyard was the drummer, he said to me “I hear you’re a drummer”. I said very sheepishly I’m trying. To which he replied “I know what you mean, sometimes you got it and sometimes you just ain’t sh__”. That night when I came back for the concert, looking for a seat I see Russel Procope motioned to me to come up front and pointed to a seat in the front row they had saved for me. If that wasn’t enough after a brief intermission, Duke came back out and said “We would like to present for you some my familiar compositions but first we will do a number that is a favorite of a young man that I met here today “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be”!
If you read this, I don’t tell this story often, but I tell it to people who realize what a magnificent, musician, composer and human being he was and is. I think one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. I have always and always will
Love him madly.
Wonderful analysis of Ella's improvisational approach.
As other posts have suggested Ella was probably our most versatile singer. She excelled at everything except maybe the blues, typically didn't convey a basic sense of survival. I'd say the same about Coleman Hawkins and Teddy Wilson. And she had the pipes and unlimited swing of course.
I think of her as three-sided:
Jazzical where she would throw away the lyrics, zero in mainly on rhythm typically with a small band including a horn or two. Ella became a horn herself as in the "Take the A Train" excursions.
Cabaretish where she interpreted lyrics or at least conveyed a sense of the lyrics. She would recompose the melody, transporting her performance to the next level.
Conversational duets with just a piano or guitar. My favorite Ella, especially the records with Ellis Larkins.
I regret I never heard her in person.
Thanks Craig. Those duets with Larkins on Decca from 1950 and '54 are a treat. Few people today know about them. You have good taste! THANK YOU CRAIG
Thanks for hipping me to that stuff with Ellis Larkins -- yes, VERY nice. I'm listening now.
Thanks Lewis and Jim. Maybe you're aware of Ella's 1973 reunion with Larkins, part of her Newport Jazz Festival concert. Only three tunes and Ella's voice is starting to warble, but again they're stunningly exciting partners.
Around that time Larkins collaborated with the meticulous Anita Ellis on a record (A Legend Sings) similar in spirit that's definitely worth hearing.
I heard a Larkins trio accompany Joe Williams in Las Vegas where Joe settled later in life. That partnership didn't click to full potential I think because intuitive exploration was not part of Joe's DNA.
Very cool--thanks for this CRAIG!