Ella 100: Live at the Apollo

Various
Ella 100: Live at the Apollo
Concord Jazz

As the title of this new Concord Jazz album indicates, this recording is of the October 22, 2016 celebration at the famed Apollo Theater of the Ella Fitzgerald centennial. Included here are performances of songs that still are associated with the "First Lady of Song" by an All-Star Cast.

David Allen Grier and Patti Austin hosted and performed at this concert with the music provided by the Count Basie Orchestra (augmented by strings) and the Ella 100 All-Star Quartet giving support. There was quite a cast of performers besides Grier and Austin, including Andra Day, Lizz Wright, Ayo, and Afro Blue from Howard University, Cassandra Wilson, Ledisi, and Monica Mancini (accompanied by guitarist Brian Nova. The accompanying booklet has liner notes from jazz and pop vocal music authority Will Friedwald, and Greg Field, who produced this concert. Full personnel for the performances is also provided in the booklet.

The celebration opened with an imagined recreation of Ella's legendary appearance at the Apollo's weekly amateur talent contest on November 21, 1934. Ayodele Owolabi (Ayo) of Afro Blue plays the young Ella Fitzgerald with David Allen Grier playing the role of Ralph Cooper, the Apollo's first amateur night host. To this listener, it is enjoyable if a bit awkward. It does serve as an intro to the evening that Grier introduces before introducing his fellow host, Patti Austin. Austin, with the Basie Orchestra, launches into vibrant renditions of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," and then "When I Get Low I Get High," with her wondrous intonation and phrasing.

Andra Day was a special guest that night and provided a deeply reflective rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'" with a luscious backing from the Basie Orchestra and strings. Austin introduces her co-host Grier, who, backed by the Basie Orchestra, sings a wonderful interpretation of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me." I was unaware Grier played Sportin' Life in an acclaimed revival of "Porgy and Bess." Still, his warm baritone evokes the great Ellington male singers such as Herb Jeffries and Al Hibbler, with the Basie Band outstanding recreating the Oliver Nelson and Sam Nestico arrangement. Basie Orchestra bandleader Scotty Barnhart takes a marvelous trumpet solo.

The All-Star quartet, led by pianist Shelly Berg, has a sparkling backing for Lizz Wright behind her horn-like phrasing for Ellington's "Love You Madly." Berg, guitarist Brian Nova, and bassist Nathan East take solos on this. Wright mesmerizes on her unaccompanied intro to "The Nearness of You," before the Quartet enters. Like the other performances, there is love and appreciation for Ella but distilled through each artist's own musical approach. This is evident from the outstanding interpretation of "Lady Be Good" by Ayo and Afro Blue with some striking scatting. Afro Blue and the Basie Orchestra provides support for Austin on a sublime "How High the Moon," with breath-taking scatting.

After an intermission, the Count Basie Orchestra swings Frank Foster's arrangement of "Back to the Apollo! (Apple)," with tenor saxophonist Doug Lawrence soloing. Then, in tribute to the Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong duets, Austin and Grier provide their versions of "I Loves You Porgy/ That's a Boat Leaving' Soon for New York." Their vocals are caressed by the enhanced Basie Orchestra with a masterful solo from Barnhart. There is a singular rendition of "Cry Me a River" by Cassandra Wilson, followed by the effervescent swing and scatting of Ledisi's "Honeysuckle Rose." The Basie Band packs plenty of punch behind her. Accompanied by guitarist Brian Nova's appealing accompaniment, Monica Mancini (Henry's daughter) captivates on the intimate performance of "Once in a While," originally recorded by Ella with Joe Pass.

Austin and Grier close out the concert with a swinging "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)/ Paganini Bows Reprise." They trade verses as the Basie Band explosively accompanies them before they call and acknowledge the rest of the performers to take their bows. A bonus track of Ella singing "People" is an encore for the CD. It is a delightful coda to this outstanding recording of a remarkable night at Harlem's Apollo Theater.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is Lizz Wright's performance of "The Nearness of You" from this concert.