1957 · Album
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book
Recorded 1957 · Verve Records · Produced by Norman Granz
Ella Meets Duke in the Studio
Fitzgerald's voice finds new life interpreting Duke's sophisticated melodies and clever lyrics.
If you know Ella mainly from her more famous songbook albums, this one might surprise you. She's singing Duke Ellington's material here, which means you get some of his most interesting compositions alongside standards. The thing about Duke's songs is they're not always straightforward — they've got odd chord changes, unexpected melody turns, and lyrics that reward close listening. Ella handles all of it with ease, which is exactly what you want from her.
The band on these sessions was top-tier studio work, the kind of thing Decca specialized in. This wasn't experimental music; it was polished, professional, and aimed at the mainstream audience. That matters because it means the arrangements serve the songs without getting precious about them. Ella's phrasing is impeccable throughout — she never oversells a line or undercuts a lyric. On tunes like "Mood Indigo" or "Satin Doll," you hear her making smart choices about where to sit behind the beat, where to push ahead, how much voice to give certain phrases.
Where does this sit in her catalog? It's solid work, not her best, but more than worth hearing if you're already familiar with her voice. It's not the place to start if you've never heard Ella — that would be one of her Cole Porter or Gershwin songbooks instead. But if you've spent time with her and want to hear her tackle a different set of melodies, this is a natural next step. The Duke Ellington material gives her something distinctive to work with, which keeps the album from feeling like another competent-but-forgettable entry.
Who's playing
Harry Carneybass clarinet, clarinet
Jimmy Woodedouble bass
Duke Ellingtonpiano
Frank Fostertenor saxophone
Paul Gonsalvestenor saxophone
Jimmy Hamiltonclarinet, tenor saxophone
Johnny Hodgesalto saxophone
Russell Procopealto saxophone, clarinet
William “Cat” Andersontrumpet
Willie Cooktrumpet
Dizzy Gillespietrumpet
Ray Nancetrumpet, violin
Clark Terrytrumpet
Quentin Jacksontrombone
John Sanderstrombone
Britt Woodmantrombone
Sam Woodyarddrums
Duke Ellington and His Orchestraperformer
Where next?
More by Ella Fitzgerald
Wishes You a Swinging Christmas 1960
Ella and Louis 1956
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book 1956
Ella And Louis Again 1957
The musicians on this record
Blues in Orbit 1960
Duke Ellington
plays piano here
plays piano here
Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues 1959
Johnny Hodges
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
Daylight Express 1959
Paul Gonsalves
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
Birks Works: The Verve Big-Band Sessions 1958
Dizzy Gillespie
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
