Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book is a 1957 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, focusing on Ellington's songs.

Part of Fitzgerald's "Song Book" series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion Fitzgerald recorded with Ellington. It is also the entry in the Song Book series that provided her with the most opportunities to exhibit her skill at scat singing.

The greater part of disc three is devoted to two original compositions by Billy Strayhorn, inspired by Fitzgerald's life, character, and artistry. Fitzgerald's performance on this album won her the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance, Individual, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards.

The album was released in two volumes: the first features Fitzgerald with the Ellington orchestra, while the second, finds her in a small group setting.

This album marked the start of a fruitful artistic relationship for Fitzgerald and Ellington. The 1960s would see them perform on the Côte d'Azur for the album Ella and Duke at the Cote D'Azur (1966), and in Sweden for The Stockholm Concert, 1966. Their only other studio album is Ella at Duke's Place (1965).

Track listing For the 1957 Verve 4-LP set: Verve MGV 4010-4

Recorded June 15–October 27, 1957, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Side one

Side two

Side three

Side four

Side five

Side six

Side seven

Side eight

Bonus Tracks; Issued on the Verve 1999 3CD re-issue, Verve 314 559 248-2 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 4:03 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:37 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:59 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:20 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 1:38 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 1:20 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 5:35 "Chelsea Bridge – rehearsal" – 3:39 "All Heart – rehearsal" – 3:54 "All Heart – alternative take I" – 3:33 "All Heart – alternative take II" – 3:22 "All Heart – alternative take III" – 3:25

Personnel Ella Fitzgerald – vocals William "Cat" Anderson, Clark Terry, Willie Cook – trumpet Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet on "Take the "A" Train" Frank Foster – tenor saxophone Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster – saxophone Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone Russell Procope – clarinet, alto saxophone Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone Harry Carney – clarinet, bass clarinet John Sanders, Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson – trombone Ray Nance – trumpet, violin Stuff Smith – violin Oscar Peterson, Paul Smith – piano Ray Brown, Joe Mondragon, Jimmy Woode – double bass Barney Kessel – guitar (disc 1: 12-18, disc 2: 1-7, duo with Ella in "Solitude", "Azure", "In a Sentimental Mood") Herb Ellis - guitar (disc 2: 8-12) Sam Woodyard, Alvin Stoller – drums Billy Strayhorn – piano, narrator Duke Ellington – piano, narrator, arranger, conductor

References