Jazz Articles about Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa

by Bob Jacobson
March 8, 2004

Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa Andrea Davis Pinkney Brian Pinkney (Ill) Hyperion Press ISBN 0786805684

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, who previously collaborated on the children's picture book “Duke Ellington", have now brought us Ella's story, from teenage street-corner dancing to international fame. It's all narrated, over four “tracks", by Scat Cat Monroe, the world's coolest feline, complete with sharp suits and spats. Scat Cat's got the bona fides, ...

Ella Fitzgerald: Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers

by David Rickert
December 22, 2003

Ella’s Songbook series was so popular both critically and commercially that it cast a very long shadow over her other fine work for Norman Granz and Verve. Slowly these sessions are beginning to see the light of day, and Sings Songs for Sweet Swingers is one such example of Ella at her best. It’s difficult to find a bad Ella album, and this 1958 session, recorded around the same time as the Gershwin songbooks, features the singer’s regular potion of ...

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Ella and Louis Again

by David Rickert
May 8, 2003

It should come as no surprise that the first collaboration between Ella and Louis was so successful that it was quickly followed by a sequel--and a double album, no less. Even the dumbest A&R man could anticipate the potential magic in the pairing; both singers were at the peak of their popularity in 1957, straying from their jazz roots yet becoming influential and noteworthy interpreters of popular song in the process. Both share a penchant for mirthful clowning and light ...

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

by C. Michael Bailey
December 9, 2002

...The First Lady of Jazz... I

Listening to scores of vocal jazz records, all contemporary, it is easy to lose the trees for the forest, particularly the redwoods. Ella Fitzgerald was one of those rarified talents one took for grated, as she was so damn good that her talent became transparent. Rated with Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday as one of the most important female jazz vocalists, Fitzgerald can reasonably be deemed the most important because of her flawless execution ...

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

by David Rickert
December 3, 2002

Most people don’t expect much from Christmas albums, other than a host of familiar songs with a hint of nostalgia to play while decorating the tree. What a treat it is, then, to discover one that raises the bar and doesn’t seem like a half-hearted effort to make a quick buck for the holidays. One could argue that the late fifties and early sixties was the heyday of Christmas albums (everyone from Sinatra to the Chipmunks had one out), and ...

Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae

by Craig Jolley
September 1, 2001

For those who look back on the 50's as the glory days of singing never again to be equalled this music will serve either as reinforcement or as a wake-up call. Fitzgerald, Holiday, and McRae all at the same festival! (Sarah Vaughan also sang at Newport in 1957.) Career-wise all three were at the top of their profession. Pipes-wise Fitzgerald and McRae were at their peaks, but Holiday only had a semblance of her voice left. Artistically McRae and Fitzgerald ...

Ella Fitzgerald: The Enchanting Ella Fitzgerald,Live at Birdland 1950-1952

by Dave Nathan
January 1, 2001

Baldwin Street Music has come out with another set of previously unavailable material by a top jazz vocalist. This album caputures Ella Fitzgerald's broadcasts from New York City jazz venues, mostly from Birdland. During this period, Fitzgerald was recording for Decca usually backed by a big orchestra headed by such stalwarts as Sy Oliver and Gordon Jenkins as well as an occasional side trip with Louis Jordan. The last recording on this album in August of 1955 was just before ...