We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song
A Lotta Love for Ella
Black Music Month has a significant meaning this year, particularly because it marks the release of the all-star tribute album dedicated to the musical legacy of the late, great Ella Fitzgerald. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalist of the 20th century -- with an octave range spanning three octaves, the Newport News, Virginia native was the first African American to win a Grammy Award at its innaugural ceremony in 1958. Popularizing a treasure trove of pop standards, she went on to win a total of 13 Grammys, along with being awarded the National Medal of Art by President Ronald Reagan, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush. On June 5, Verve Records released the most sterling collection of Fitzgerald favorites -- sung by some of the music biggest names. Black Voices invites you to share in the experience.
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Natalie Cole
'A Tisket A Tasket'
The 'Unforgettable' diva -- who ushered in a new era of covering pop standards and jazz classics with her multiple Grammy Award winning 1991 opus -- had the distinct pleasure of meeting Fitzgerald when she was seven years old. Natalie Cole says, at age six, the first song she ever learned was the nusery rhyme that was this first million-selling, chart-topping project for Fitzgerald in 1938. "I think her singing in general was a big influence in my life."
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Chaka Khan
'Lullaby of Birdland'
The Chicago-born vocal powerhouse known the world over as Chaka Khan proved she could sing just about anything with her daring 2005 covers project 'Classikhan.' On this Fitzgerald gem, she knocks the ball right out of the park with a nuanced perfection that leaves an everlasting resonance on the unsuspecting ear. The eight-time Grammy Award winner professed her love for "this project," noting that "it was an honor to pay tribute to one of the greatest voices of our time and doing it with some of the greatest artists today-was truly a pleasure."
Queen Latifah
'The Lady is a Tramp'
With her previous forays into jazz and standards (via roles in movies such as 'Living Out Loud' and 'Chicago,' and her 2004 ambitious non-rap project) the hip-hop superstar legally known as Dana Elaine Owens seemed more than ready to bellow this timeless song, which has been recorded by countless able-bodied divas. For this new version, the Academy Award nominated CoverGirl cosmetics and Pizza Hut spokesmodel didn't stray too far from form with paying homage to Fitzgerald, who should be smiling down on this rendition.
Diana Krall and Hank Jones
'Dream a Little Dream of Me'
"She was like a horn player," Diana Krall recently commented about Fitzgerald. The much heralded blond-haired, blue-eyed Candadian vocalist/artist -- as many contemporary singers -- owe a debt a gratitude to Fitzgerald's foundation. Especially in the jazz world. "She was the greatest improvisor, jazz scat singer in my own opinion," the two-time Grammy Award winner continued, noting that Fitzgerald was "completely natural and amazing. Amazing!" For the track, Krall is joined by jazz virtuoso Hank Jones, who worked as Fitzgerald's accompanist from 1948 to 1953.
Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan
'Mr. Paginnini'
Now talk about a dynamic duo. Though these two soul sisters go way back as friends during more wild and crazy days, this marks Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan's very first recording together. And what a collaboration it is. "Ella Fitzgerald is the reason I learned to scat--my favorite," noted Cole. "This tribute is long overdue...she was and still is a bad lady."
Dianne Reeves
'Oh, Lady Be Good'
For one of Fitzgerald's most notable be-bop songs, no one could really seal the deal like Grammy Award winning chanteuse Dianne Reeves could. "I always look at artists like Ella Fitzgerald as their own galaxy," the Denver-reared diva said. "She's her own galaxy and there's just a lot there to find. I think the biggest influence she had on me was the fact that there was just so much joy in her singing. She absolutely loved singing, she was passionate about it and you could just really feel it." Reeves does the same, regularly, for her legion of listeners.
Lizz Wright
'Reaching for the Moon'
Jazz indsutry newcomer Lizz Wright has a subtle restraint and sophistication to her voice, which has made a cult following endeared to the Georgia peach released her debut album 'Salt' in 2003. For her tribute song, she does an awe-inspiring version of Fitzgerald's 'Reaching for the Moon.' "Ella's star rose over a discriminating world that was unprepared to accept and honor her," Wright offered. "Yet, she managed to live out an amazing career, leaving behind a great collection of some of the most extraordinarily beautiful music and performances we've ever known."
Ledisi
'Blues in the Night'
For this hearty and robust tour-de-force, this New Orleans-born, Oakland-bred vocal powerhouse lets it all hang out for what some consider to be the collection's most prized work. Ledisi, a neo-soul musical wunderkind on-the-rise, recently made this vampy track --about what her "mama done told" her -- a part of her live repertoire. And her continually growing fan base just eats it up. Though her approach to the material has a new and contemporary feel, it's steep in rich, full-bodied emotion. "Being apart of the Ella Tribute is not only an honor but a dream come true for a southern girl like me who grew up in a city known for being the heart of jazz," she said. "Ella was and still is the heart of jazz -- the "ultimate" jazz vocalist. I'm proud that others considered me worthy enough to be apart of such an exquisite body of work. I am eternally grateful."
Linda Ronstadt
'Miss Otis Regrets'
The leading lady of the post 60s rock era has simmered down in her older age. And that's a good thing. For this somber and suspensful tune -- about a velvet-dress wearing woman who is hanged for killing her lover, but sends her regrets to her female lunch companion -- Linda Ronstadt offers a sweet, endearing storytelling quality that draws in the listener. In a 1985 interview with 'Downbeat' magazine, the Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe Award winning singer, songwriter and producer spoke highly of Fitzgerald: "My favorite singers are always the ones who pay the most respect to the melody -- who can riff, but basically are kind of restrained," she said. "Ella is really terrific at that- she sings the melody very, very clearly, and then every once in a while she makes an excursion to another planet."
Gladys Knight
'Someone to Watch Over Me'
"Ella was the sweetest and most beautiful person as a talent and as a human being," Gladys Knight recently beamed about Fitzgerald. The seven-time Grammy Award winning R&B veteran, who was recently announced as the recipient of the 2007 Ella Award -- for her philanthropic endeavors, sings this dreamy George and Ira Gershwin classic with much verve in the classy and relaxed fashion she's been known for throughout her 60 year career. "I cared, respected and loved that lady," Knight said in a recent interview. "She was so....you haven't met a person more down to earth than her with all of her talent....with all of her skills... I was so in awe of her."
Etta James
'Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me'
On this classic Duke Ellington composition, which has been sung by nearly everyone from jazz blues legend Billie Holliday to British rocker Robbie Williams, Etta James delivers the gusto and turns out a most soulful rendition. Known for her timeless romantic anthem, 'At Last,' the 70-year-old soul siren has paid tribute to Fitzgerald --via song-- with previously released renditions of her classics.
k.d. lang
'Angel Eyes'
"I brought an Ella record probably when I was 20 and I studied it, just studied it," the androgenous Canadian singer k.d. lang shared. And she proved a great study, too. Who knew this modern day song stylist had so much soul? For this melancholy Fitzgerald standard, the four-time Grammy Award winner proves she can stand with the best of them. The lush instrumenation bodes well for lang, mostly known for her country and pop material. "...One of the things I love about Ella so much is the texture and the tone, where she chooses to sit the note, it's exciting...To me, she's just like one of the greatest musician's singers there is."
Michael Buble
'Too Close for Comfort'
Michael Buble took the American music scene by storm with his sparkling 2003 debut, which fused his soulful pop flare with classic jazz standards. He's like a third coming of Frank Sinatra with a touch of Harry Connick, Jr. For his efforts, he's topped music charts, won Juno Awards and sold millions of albums. He seems to be right at home with the aforementioned musical greats paying homage to Fitzgerald's legacy. Of that, he said, "the color in her voice, her intimation, her feel, it's just scary when you hear it because she's marvelous." The Vancouver crooner went as far to say that he wishes "she was still around now because I'll pay anything to just go sit through a set and watch everything she does."