In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Choral Arrangements of
Ella Fitzgerald

Born Ella Jane Fitzgerald on April 25, 1917 in Newport News, Virginia. After a troubled childhood, including the death of her mother in 1932, Fitzgerald turned to singing and debuted at the Apollo Theater in 1934 at age 17. She was discovered in an amateur contest in Harlem and joined Chick Webb's band and recorded several hits, notably "A-tisket A-tasket" (1938).

After Webb died in 1939, his band was renamed Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra. Two years later, she began her solo career and by the mid-1950s, she had become the first African-American to perform at the Mocambo. Her lucid intonation and broad range made her a top jazz singer. Her series of recordings for Verve (1955-9) in multi-volume "songbooks" are among the treasures of American popular song. Fitzgerald is known as "The First Lady of Song," and was the most popular American female jazz singer for over fifty years. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums.

With the exception of Jazz at Santa Monica Civic '72, her latter recordings marked a decline in her voice due to complications from diabetes. The disease left her blind, and she had both legs amputated in 1994. She made her last recording in 1989 and her last public performance in 1991 at New York's Carnegie Hall. Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15, 1996 in her Beverly Hills home.

Fitzgerald was briefly married to Benny Kornegay, a convicted drug dealer and hustler, in 1941. She was married to bass player Ray Brown from 1947 to 1952; they adopted a child born to Fitzgerald's half-sister whom they christened Ray Brown, Jr. Fitzgerald.

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-5 of 5 items.

Roger Emerson : A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Was it red? No no no. Was it brown? No no no. The famous Ella Fitzgerald rendition of a classic nursery song is a sassy, jazzy twist on the familiar lyrics. A great Discovery Series choice for developing jazz style in your younger choirs! VoiceTrax CD includes a full performance of the primary voicing, accompaniment only and part-predominant tracks for each voice part of each voicing.

Rosana Eckert : 'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)

Here is a song written in the big band era, first sung by jazz vocalist, Ella Fitzgerald, in 1939 and ideal for introducing beginning and developing groups to swing style. In the Discovery Series, it's perfect for building jazz diction and rhythmic skills.

Kirby Shaw : Hotta Chocolatta

Here's a jazz novelty song recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in the '50s that's filled to the brim with sass and style! Perfect for a winter concert, dinner theater fundraiser or anytime you want to share a little sweetness with your community!

Ella Fitzgerald : Shiny Stockings

Showcase your vocal jazz group with this accessible setting of the Ella Fitzgerald/Count Basie standard. Swing style, jazz harmonies, group scat and solo improvisation make this a great selection for developing style and technique.

Jay Althouse : Cry Me a River

This popular torch song was originally composed for Ella Fitzgerald, but ended up being dropped from the film Pete Kelly's Blues. She would eventually record it six years later, but in the meantime, a recording by Julie London introduced it to the world. Jay's sweet harmonies make for a bluesy arrangement.

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-9 of 9 items.

Rosana Eckert : 'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)

Arranger: Rosana Eckert Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Roger Emerson : A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Was it red? No no no. Was it brown? No no no. The famous Ella Fitzgerald rendition of a classic nursery song is a sassy, jazzy twist on the familiar lyrics. A great Discovery Series choice for developing jazz style in your younger choirs! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:40.

Arranger: Roger Emerson Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

John Leavitt : Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

Performed by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlotte Church and many others, the music of Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern lives on. This well-crafted arrangement by John Leavitt showcases the wonderful melody and emotional lyrics in this theater standard.Available separately: SSA. Performance time approx.3:00.

Arranger: John Leavitt | Composer: Jerome Kern | Lyricist: Oscar Hammerstein Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Jay Althouse : Cry Me a River

Arranger: Jay Althouse | Composer: Arthur Hamilton | Lyricist: Arthur Hamilton Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Kirby Shaw : Hotta Chocolatta

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composers: Milton Drake and Victor Mizzy Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Ed Lojeski : If You Can't Sing It (You'll Have to Swing It)

One of the ultimate big band swing tunes of all time! This standard was made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and still cooks today!Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA, Instrumental Pak (parts for Trumpet I & II, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Synthesizer, Guitar, Bass and Drums) and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 3:00.

Arranger: Ed Lojeski Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Paris Rutherford : Shiny Stockings

Arranger: Paris Rutherford | Composer: Frank Foster Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Kirby Shaw : Skylark

This jazz standard has been recorded by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Bette Midler. Now your groups can perform it with this well crafted arrangement by Kirby Shaw. The optional flute (or violin) part in the SoundPax adds a lilting quality. The voice writing is surprisingly uncomplicated for such a sophisticated melody. Logical voice writing.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Hoagy Carmicheal Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald

Paris Rutherford : Stella by Starlight

Enjoy the timeless style and haunting harmonies of this jazz standard recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and many others.Available separately: SATB, Instrumental ePak (parts for Piano, Guitar, Bass and Drums) and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 3:40

Arranger: Paris Rutherford Performed By: Ella Fitzgerald