It Don’t Mean A Thing
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella and the JATP All-Stars in 1957
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To conclude an all-star concert from the Netherlands on May 5, 1957 with Jazz At The Philharmonic, producer Norman Granz introduces Ella Fitzgerald who immediately launches into “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.”
Ella sings the melody and then scats brilliantly as always.
After Ella, violinist Stuff Smith takes a passionate solo, and there are statements by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, and an unusually restrained one from a muted Roy Eldridge on trumpet.
Ella returns before the film unfortunately cuts off, but there are plenty of highpoints from these greats to be seen before then.
-Scott Yanow
Stan Getz