A sizzling take on a major standard, with a knockout big band arrangement by Bill Doggett. That horn sound is MASSIVE. And no wonder - the band included folks like Ernie Royal, Melba Liston, Kai Winding, Les Taylor, and Phil Woods. Hank Jones on piano, Lucille Dixon on bass, Gus Johnson on drums, Mundell Lowe on guitar. Hell of a band.
Ella's having a blast here playing with multiple dynamics, getting to do torch ballad and blistering swing all in a matter of minutes, even throwing in a little scat. Recorded in January 1962 as the closing track for that year's Rhythm is My Business, it nicely capsulizes all of what she did best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCoVjIvkOEE
BONUS: Almost 20 years later, she performed this arrangement live at the 1979 Montreux Jazz Festival with the Count Basie Orchestra. The songs from that date landed on the album A Perfect Match, which won her a Grammy the following year. It was also filmed, and this is that performance.
Backed here by the Paul Smith Trio (Keter Betts on bass, Mickey Roker on drums), and Count Basie's band plus Freddie Green on guitar.
https://youtu.be/mQpbzgvZsVg
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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