Vinyl Vault — Ella Fitzgerald, “Fine and Mellow”

On the next Vinyl Vault, we’ll hear the Grammy winner for best jazz vocal album. From 1980. It’s Ella Fitzgerald and her album “Fine and Mellow.” The album was recorded in 1974, but not released until 1979 on the Pablo label.

Vinyl Vault is sponsored by Vinyl Me, Please

The album is subtitled “Ella Fitzgerald Jams with…” And her jamming compatriots were stellar and included the best of the mid-‘70s Pablo stable. Clark Terry appears on trumpet and co-vocals on one track. Also featured are Zoot Sims, tenor; Eddie Lockjaw Davis, sax, Harry Sweets Edison, trumpet; Joe Pass, guitar; Tommy Flannigan, piano; Ray Brown, bass; and Louie Bellson, drums. The jazz men all get ample time to solo and insert tasty fills throughout.

Fitzgerald was 56 at the time the album was recorded and by that time her voice had matured and perhaps didn’t reach quite as high as in years past, but she retained the precision, creativity and interpretive grace that had always made her a one-of-a-kind jazz singer.

The program is all jazz standards ranging from the bluesy Billie Holiday penned title track to delicate ballads to roaring swing. Although all the songs are familiar, many benefit from fresh, unique arrangements.

It’s a great overall combination of great players, a great singer and great arrangements of great songs. Check it out on Tuesday, April 19 at 8:30 pm on the Vinyl Vault with Geoff Anderson on KUVO JAZZ.

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