Easily in my top five Ella Fitzgerald recordings, from a little-heard concert in 1953 Japan with a wildly enthusiastic audience and Ella at the peak of her vocal power.
November 18, 1953, the Nichigeki Theatre in Tokyo. Raymond Tunia on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, J.C. Heard *killing* it on drums.
This is a great example of how loose, playful, and creative Ella could get when she had an audience and a small combo. Much of her studio material, especially in her peak years, tended more toward adult pop, in the Sinatra/standards vein. She didn't often get to go deep into jazz on her studio albums, but her concerts were a whole different story.
This is possibly the jazziest she ever sang--the endlessly inventive way she keeps recasting the melody is stunning. She rides the groove with nimble sass, and check her nailing that punchline on the breakdown! Aces! There aren't many recordings of Ella doing "sexy," and this is one of those very few.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSK0L6ATKII
Ella 101 is a daily look at 101 essential recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, who was born 101 years ago this month. Tune in to Equinox, Monday nights from 8 - 11 p.m. on WYSO, to hear Ella and more great jazz with host Duante Beddingfield.
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