Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book


Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book is a 1957 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, focusing on Ellington's songs.
Part of Fitzgerald's "Song Book" series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion Fitzgerald recorded with Ellington. It is also the entry in the Song Book series that provided her with the most opportunities to exhibit her skill at scat singing.
The greater part of disc three is devoted to two original compositions by Billy Strayhorn, inspired by Fitzgerald's life, character, and artistry. Fitzgerald's performance on this album won her the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance, Individual, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards.
The album was released in two volumes: the first volume featured Fitzgerald with the Ellington orchestra, while in the second, she is recorded with a small group setting.
This album marked the start of a fruitful artistic relationship for Fitzgerald and Ellington. The 1960s would see them perform on the Côte d'Azur for the album Ella and Duke at the Cote D'Azur, and in Sweden for The Stockholm Concert, 1966. Their only other studio album is Ella at Duke's Place.

Track listing

For the 1957 Verve 4-LP set: Verve MGV 4010-4
Disc one
  1. "Rockin' in Rhythm" – 5:17
  2. "Drop Me Off in Harlem" – 3:48
  3. "Day Dream" – 3:56
  4. "Caravan" – 3:51
  5. "Take the "A" Train" – 6:37
  6. "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" – 4:39
  7. "Clementine" – 2:37
  8. "I Didn't Know About You" – 4:10
  9. "I'm Beginning to See the Light" – 3:24
  10. "Lost in Meditation" – 3:24
  11. "Perdido" – 6:10
  12. "Cotton Tail" – 3:23
  13. "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" – 7:38
  14. "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" – 3:30
  15. "(In My) Solitude" – 2:04
  16. "Rocks in My Bed" – 3:56
  17. "Satin Doll" – 3:26
  18. "Sophisticated Lady" – 5:18
Disc two
  1. "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" – 4:13
  2. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" – 4:12
  3. "Azure" – 2:18
  4. "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" – 4:08
  5. "In a Sentimental Mood" – 2:44
  6. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" – 4:59
  7. "Prelude to a Kiss" – 5:26
  8. "Mood Indigo" – 3:24
  9. "In a Mellow Tone" – 5:07
  10. "Love You Madly" – 4:37
  11. "Lush Life" – 3:37
  12. "Squatty Roo" – 3:38
  13. "I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So" – 4:12
  14. "All Too Soon" – 4:22
  15. "Everything But You" – 2:53
  16. "I Got it Bad (And That Ain't Good)" – 6:11
  17. "Bli Blip" – 3:01
Disc three
  1. "Chelsea Bridge" – 3:20
  2. "Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald" – 16:10
  3. * First Movement: "Royal Ancestry"
  4. * Second Movement: "All Heart"
  5. * Third Movement: "Beyond Category"
  6. * Fourth Movement: "Total Jazz"
  7. "The E and D Blues" – 4:48
Bonus Tracks; Issued on the Verve 1999 3CD re-issue, Verve 314 559 248-2
  2. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 4:03
  3. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:37
  4. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:59
  5. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:20
  6. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 1:38
  7. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 1:20
  8. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 5:35
  9. "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:39
  10. "All Heart – rehearsal" – 3:54
  11. "All Heart – alternative take I" – 3:33
  12. "All Heart – alternative take II" – 3:22
  13. "All Heart – alternative take III" – 3:25
Recorded June 15–October 27, 1957, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel