Swing!
Episode 9 – Sirens of Swing: Ella & Sarah
Welcome back to my monthly journey through the first half of the Jazz Continuum and the music that defined an era – for a show called “Swing!”
This month we focus on two defining divas of jazz & sirens of swing – Ella Fitzgerald & Sarah Vaughan. There are several others I could have included as well, but I thought it would be nice to just focus on these two for one hour. Their voices continue to influence & inspire aspiring singers, and their songs remain as eternal classics.
The first 30 minutes is devoted to Ella – started with a live performance with Duke Ellington and then concentrating on her early work with Chick Webb & His Orchestra. The second half of the show is all about Sassy – covering various songs from the 40s through the 60s.
To do a full anthology of these two ladies lives, work, and influence would take numerous volumes and create a box set so big that you’d need a separate room to store it . . . so, for now, hopefully 15 beautiful tunes which brilliantly reveal their style and swing will suffice – and provide you with a lovely listening experience.
The final song in this episode may come as a surprise – but it’s the only song that Ella & Sarah ever recorded together (as far as I know) and also was the last song either of them ever recorded.
Keep those cards & letters coming with your comments, questions, and casserole recipe requests to Scott@SoulandJazz.com Scott@SoulandJazz.com or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter by liking or following the Jazz Evangelist!
Agape ya’ll,
J. Scott Fugate, ‘The Jazz Evangelist’
Swing!
Episode 9 – Sirens of Swing: Ella & Sarah
Artist – Track – Album – Year
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Ella & Duke at the Cote D’Azur 1966
Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb & His Orchestra A-Tisket, A-Tasket
The Early Years – Part 1 1938
Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb & His Orchestra Sing Me A Swing Song (And Let Me Dance) The Early Years – Part 1 1938
Ella Fitzgerald & Her Savoy Eight Shine The Early Years – Part 1 1938
Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb & His Orchestra St. Louis Blues
Radio Broadcast from the Savoy Ballroom 1939
Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb & His Orchestra I Want To Be Happy
The Early Years – Part 1 1937
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Ella and Her Fellas 1957
Sarah Vaughan I Got Rhythm Sweet ‘N Sassy 1963
Sarah Vaughan w/ Count Basie & His Orchestra Perdido
Sarah Vaughan with Count Basie & His Orchestra 1961
Sarah Vaughan Take The A Train Sassy Swings Again 1967
Sarah Vaughan How High The Moon Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio 1957
Sarah Vaughan I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
The Explosive Side of Sarah Vaughan 1963
Sarah Vaughan All Of Me Swingin’ Easy 1957
Sarah Vaughan & Clifford Brown Lullaby of Birdland
Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown 1954
Sarah Vaughan Black Coffee The Divine Sarah Vaughan: Columbia Years 1949
Quincy Jones (feat. Ella Fitzgerald & Sarah Vaughan) We B. Dooinit (Acapella Party)
Back on The Block 1989
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