Ella 100: Live at the Apollo! Vintage 1934 "Apollo Amateur Night" Radio Broadcast – "Judy", Ella 100 C-Host David Allen Grier Opening, A-Tisket, A-Tasket, When I Get Low, I Get High, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Do Nothin’ Til You Hear From Me, Love You Madly, The Nearness Of You, Oh, Lady Be Good, How High The Moon, Backto the Apollo! (Apple), I Loves You Porgy/There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For NY, Cry Me A River, Honeysuckle Rose, Once In A While, You’ll Have Me Swing It (Mr. Paganini) + Paganini Bows Reprise, People
Personnel: David Alan Grier, Ayodele Owalabe, Patti Austin, The Count Basie Orchestra, Andra Day, Lizz Wright & The Ella 100 All-Star Quartet: Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field, Afro Blue, Casandra Wilson, Ledisi, Monica Mancini, Brian Nova, Ella Fitzgerald
Patti Austin, David Alan Grier
For those new to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, "The First Lady of Song," she was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25, 1917 and moved to Yonkers, New York with her mother in 1923. So ingrained with her style, she left her indelible mark on the world of Jazz as she sang and scatted her way through some of the most memorable and iconic Jazz songs, including A-Tisket, A-Tasket. Interesting to note is that when she appeared at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York for an Amateur Night Contest on November 1, 1934, she was slated to dance. At the last moment, the 17-year Ella decided to sing instead and wowed the audience with her rendition of the new Hoagy Carmichael song, Judy. As a lifelong fan of Ella Fitzgerald, I cannot imagine the Jazz world without her wide-ranging vocal style. During her long singing career, she went on to win 13 Grammy awards and was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967. Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15,1996.
Ledisi
Ella 100: Live at the Apollo! was recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York in front of a live audience as a tribute to where it all began for her. The album was produced by former Ella Fitzgerald musician, Gregg Field, an eight-time Grammy and Emmy Award recipient, and released on the Concord Jazz label.
The release opens with Live at the Apollo! Vintage 1934 "Apollo Amateur Night" Radio Broadcast introduction followed by the 17-year old Ayodele Owalable as the young Ella, singing the song, Judy that put Ms. Fitzgerald on her way to stardom. Patti Austin & The Count Basie Orchestra swing into one of Ella’s signature songs, A-Tisket, A-Tasket. Patti and the band continue the magic on When I Get Low, I Get High, which is one of my favorites on the release. Patti’s gorgeous vocals and the big band sound make it a winner.
Lizz Wright
Next up is Ain’t Misbehavin’ featuring Andra Day & The Count Basie Orchestra. David Alan Grier & The Count Basie Orchestra continue with the slow and sultry song, Do Nothin’ Til You Hear From Me, which has a lovely piano intro. Lizz Wright & The Ella 100 All-Star Quartet comprised of Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field perform back-to-back hits, Love You Madly, which has an excellent bass solo, followed by The Nearness Of You.
The young and talented group, Afro Blue from Howard University scat their way through Oh, Lady Be Good. Patti Austin, Afro Blue & The Count Basie Orchestra join forces on How High The Moon. The Count Basie Orchestra goes it alone on the stunning instrumental piece, Back to the Apollo! (Apple), followed by Patti Austin, David Grier & The Count Basie Orchestra on I Loves You Porgy/There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For NY.
The Count Basie Orchestra
The release segues into Cry Me A River featuring the lovely vocals of Cassandra Wilson backed by The Count Basie Orchestra. Next up is Honeysuckle Rose, sung by Ledisi & The Count Basie Orchestra. Musical Royalty, Monica Mancini (her father is the renowned Henry Mancini) and Brian Nova perform on Once In A While. Rounding out the release, Patti Austin, David Grier & The Count Basie Orchestra team up on You’ll Have Me Swing It (Mr. Paganini) + Paganini Bows Reprise. Ella 100: Live at the Apollo! deftly closes with a rare recording of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald performing the song, People. During her illustrious career, Ella Fitzgerald performed around the world garnering awards and touching the lives and hearts of many along the way. Happy Birthday, Ella!
Listen to a teaser of Ella 100: Live at the Apollo!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJmzypAby8o
Until next time, keep enjoying the music!
Websites where you can purchase Ella 100: Live at the Apollo!: iTunes
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