FIRST TIME REACTING TO | Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong “Summertime”

[@lkjh861]

If you didn't know that Louis Armstrong was a vocalist too, you absolutely gotta listen to "What a wonderful world" -- Louis was of a generation that suffered WW1 and WW2, Prohibition, The Great Depression and Jim Crow... and yet he sings that song with such tenderness and appreciation for the little things in life ~ if his rendition doesn't make you tear up just a little, you just don't have a heart. An old man sitting on a bench, just watching the world grow and evolve beyond him ~ and seeing nothing but beauty and hope. If you're having a bad day, that song is like a good friend sitting with his/her arm around your shoulder, while you catch your breath. Written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, and sung with such empathy by Louis. Just superb. * consider this, Louis (1901-1971) was born before the Wright brothers' first flight and lived until after the US had landed on the moon ~ the world evolved at lightning speed within his lifetime

[@peterhormell1511]

@kjh861 Louis was a contemporary of my Grandma and she used to say that all the time. Actually, she was born in 1898 and she used to say that her life spanned the time between “…the days of horse and buggy” to “man walking on the moon.” 💙🫶 I agree with you… I absolutely LOVE “It’s a Wonderful World.” “It won an Emmy two years after the release of “Hello Dolly” (another Emmy winning song for Louis). [See my note elsewhere on this thread… ] 😉👍

[@matthewhildebrandt1901]

The king and queen of jazz. Both legends!

[@waynehauser3611]

Simply just a beautiful song, pure magic from all directions . Everything about this song is incredible. Thank you for your reaction . Peace n love from down under 😎✌

[@Veritas-TheGoader]

5:00 The vocal technique Ella and Louis uses is called “God’s blessing”.

[@brianbreckler9685]

6:18 When Louie was scheduled on a tv show in the 60's our tv was on. Brilliant musician, and you gotta find some shows with Louie singing 'what a wonderful world'. Ella was an inspiration for so many that followed her.

[@zanohoriamazo1]

Incredible classic recording and great example of the rich jazz legacy that is the foundation & fabric of American music culture. Rest assured that after spirituals & blues, Louis Armstrong is practically central figure the central figure of Modern American music as far as his ability to reinterpret a phrase, not only how he played his horn, but also how he sang. It’s the blueprint for how to approach different was to phrase a song besides the original way it was recorded. Every generation owes that freedom to the likes of Louis Armstrong, Billie Holidays, Ella & the rest is history. So when Yu talk about not familiar with his music, their role & legacy is beyond even their individual recordings. Just that the evidence displayed in recordings & sometimes videos are a sweet confirmation of who they are. His most famous vocal is What A Wonderful World. Don’t know what he sounded like as a kid, but it was getting in trouble as a child that he met the opportunity to learn trumpet. He was sentenced to time in a reform school at 10 years old for firing a gun to celebrate the New Year. The rest is history. Speaking of which, this classic composition is from a black musical opera called Porgy & Bess, written by composer pianist George Gershwin & his brother lyricist Ira Gershwin. They literally went to cotton fields & specific rural communities down south to study black culture & gained inspiration to create this classic work of which Summertime is one piece. Others from that production are: I’ve Got Plenty of Nothin; It Ain’t Necessarily So; & Bess, You is My Woman. The movie adaption of the musical featured Sidney Poitier in the lead role as ‘Porgy’, & Sammy Davis Jr., as the character, ‘Sportin Life’. Another great collaboration of the Porgy & Bess score is the album by Ray Charles with British vocalist Cleo Lane. Another great recording of Summertime is living jazz master & pop icon George Benson live @ Carnegie Hall. 👍🏾

[@larryswindallii7091]

This is one of my all time favorite performances/duets.

[@robertsterner2145]

Ella is the greatest. She was called "The First Lady of Song" for a reason

[@Cheryworld]

great great great great choice!!! The singing yes. And Louis on trumpet!

[@pamagnolia]

This is marvelous! Two icons showing how it is done. Bravo!!!

[@margaretervin8895]

I just love love Louis Armstrong. What a Wonderful World by Loui Armstrong must listen to.

[@jackempson3044]

All top notch musicians.

[@rogerwolstenholme2710]

She taught Angelina... who listened to things like this from 2yo and learnt all the techniques, so thats why shes so good.... this video is pure magic.

[@conniedean1977]

Louis and Ella did several duets together-absolutely delicious. One critic said Louis’ voice was whiskey and Ella’s voice was a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon….

[@firecracker187]

This is one of the all time greatest songs and duos ever

[@DaveIdiens]

You are goood Britt. I am 77 and this music is from my parents time! Thank you 🙏🙏✌🏻

[@masudashizue777]

It's that one magical summer in your life which you may or may not have had, when fish were jumping in the creek and you thought you had all the time in the world. When you turn 70, you realize your days may be over but this song will live forever.

[@brycehiigel235]

This song sends to chills throughout. It so perfectly played/sung. Look into Nat King Cole. Another amazing voice.

[@conniedean1977]

Ooh, plus, this song is from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, the first black Broadway show. ❤🎶👏👏👏

[@EconAdviser]

My Mom would play her Ella sings Gershwin album all the time. Every one was a classic for history. And Louis had this insane life changing music for five decades. The 2 greatest ever. George and brother Ira Gershwin were America's best jazz composer and lyricist (Sumertime was from Gerwin's jazz all-Black opera).

[@wgandy9541]

I agree with the others who have suggested that you must listen to his rendition of "What a Wonderful World". Beautiful sentiment in the song lyrics and wonderfully sung by Mr. Armstrong.

[@johnwakefield9378]

I heard Ella sing live in manhattan around 1977 or so. A legend.

[@kcarr9589]

Lois Armstrong - What a Wonderful World. A must.

[@RaySawhill]

Great reactions, btw.

[@DBirdshead]

Your my favorite reactor, it's kinda child like how you can see the music and right away your hands start moving, and your eyes light up. And you have musical knowledge and the ability to explain what you see and hear and the way it makes you feel. You don't try to go beyond that and even when you squirrel, I think that is the real you, love you keep it up.

[@billverno6170]

Their duet on Moonlight in Vermont gives you a winter feeling.

[@josephwallace4485]

The greatest music every made. Love them both. Get their Christmas album.

[@mikeroman5208]

A master instrumentalist is someone who not just plays an instrument but who makes that instrument actually sing. Satchmo is a perfect example of that.

[@hobbypassion]

This version of 'Summertime' is my favorite and one I listen to often.

[@marybreaux2992]

I love the way you described the feeling of the song... of slow hot summer southern nights. When you know, you know! Ella and Louis are two of the greatest! Check out Louis' "What a Wonderful World" and "A Kiss to Build a Dream On". And there are so many others! Ella -- there are so many I don't even know where to start.

[@8967Logan]

I had to smile when you first described the song, because Louis is from New Orleans. "Pops" was known for his scat singing, and I agree once you hear his voice there is no mistaking it. Ella is a renowned vocalist, but my lady of Jazz has always been Lady Day. Billie Holiday just had so much depth to everything she sang. She inspired Sinatra's style after he reinvented himself following his crooning days, and you can hear it.

[@marycooper5991]

“Summertime” was written by George Gershwin in 1935 for his opera, “Porgy and Bess”.

[@jasonward9429]

Ella's voice is like velvet being stroked by silk. We need to start appreciating quality again.

[@dagmar.6954]

Two great legends singing together. What could be better than that. This is timeless music that has endured for decades. Ella is such a jazz legend & performed for over 6 decades. She was known for her purity of tone & scat singing. Love her version of "Summertime". She had a great solo career but also did quite a few collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington & The Ink Spots. Some of their hits were "Dream A Little Dream Of Me", "Cheek to Cheek", "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall", & "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)".

[@kenneth2875]

This song is from the Broadway play Porgy and Bess. Love you. So glad people under 50 are discovering older music.

[@GinMae]

Thanks, Britt.. Ella's voice will give you chills, right? Hope you hear more.. lol.. (Louis Armstrong vocals.. Surprise!!!) appreciate your reaction!

[@celestepingtella5938]

A Southern summer evening watching the sunset while sitting in a rocking chair on the porch with a tall, cold glass of iced tea fanning yourself!! Awesome song!!

[@richardfeldkamp1707]

It is am absolute joy seeing you react to some of the greatest talents that have ever lived. |May your journey continue.

[@Nowheremt]

The greatest thing humanity has EVER produced is the sound of Louis Armstrong’s horn.

[@mikelesley2803]

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was one of the most well-liked and popular performers of all time for both his singing and trumpet playing. Two songs he sang you need to listen to are Hello Dolly and What a Wonderful World. Both are great songs you will really enjoy.

[@AP-gb3eh]

They did an album together. Louis Armstrong ( Satchmo) satchel mouth. Ella is a deep dive of glorious music. They are each American institutions. They should be taught in school. The privilege of growing up seeing these artists performing on television was fascinating as a child and has left me with a lifetime admiration.

[@nathanfisher1826]

This is called Budder, so smooth it’s crazy 😊

[@johnboydTx]

Perfection 🥲👏👏👏 All I can say ☺️✌️💗

[@rickyork7089]

Love Louis 😁 His " What a wonderful world " is beautiful.

[@davidtouma4878]

Thank you for this enjoyable reaction video that reignited pleasant memories. 2 of my all time favourite artists. I’ve been listening to all kind of music since I was a toddler. In the summer of 1972, I saw Ella at the Baalbek International Festival in Baalbek, Lebanon. As an 18 years old student with a limited budget, I had almost a zero chance of getting tickets to that prestigious festival. Luckily I managed to convince a family friend who was a senior security officer to let me in with my girlfriend. Ella performed at the site of the ancient Roman ruins of the Temple of Bacchus and what a memorable performance it was. At the time Ella was suffering from an ailment and against the advice of her doctor she said “Even if I’ll never sing again, I will not miss this festival”. 54 years later, her words and her performance is still etched in my memory with admiration and respect. I never had the chance to see Louis Armstrong live but I’ve been listening to him as far back as I remember.

[@crosswalkguy435]

Louis Armstong's nickname is 'Sachmo'. Check out his version of Mack the Knife. Truly a legend. You are right, once you hear him, you will always recognize him.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Mack the Knife is brilliant. The incongruity of the sweet melody and the very dark lyrics is captivating. It calls to mind the same incongruity in Warren Zevon’s Excitable Boy

[@sometimesboy]

And to compare and contrast, check out Ella's version of Mack live from Germany. She does some fun scatting and an impression of Luis if I remember correctly.

[@kellysimmons8437]

Louis Armstrong. What a wonderful world. You gotta know Louis.

[@tomatolady11]

This duo just melts my heart.

[@eddie623]

❤❤❤❤❤👍😊

[@RaySawhill]

Louis’ big, fat, blasting tone and the way he floated above the band and the rhythms without ever losing touch with them really blew people’s minds back in the ‘20s and ‘30s.

[@jankleven7674]

Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong. A must !

[@sylvanaire]

A lot of people are recommending What a Wonderful World, & it is lovely but for something a little more uptempo, try Hello Dolly from the musical of the same name with Barbra Streisand. So much fun!

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

I read that Louie got a bad cold playing on the riverboats when he was young and that's why his voice is like that.

[@louisgreen3915]

They called him the King of Jazz, and they called her The First Lady Of Song. This track ses it all.

[@pffp6246]

Lovely …… now you can see & hear all Angelina’s mentors thank you for this video

[@richardkawucha1232]

I doubt any duo could come close to the talent you hear. Both Ms. Fitzgerald and Mr. Armstrong were superb singers. She was an exceptional scat singer.

[@gailhodges7353]

Absolutely a man and woman who sang so pure and from the heart.

[@russelltrevail8439]

You should here "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong. You will like it.

[@merylschoenbaum319]

"A singer's voice is their instrument" was never more true than in the case of Louis Armstrong: He sounds exactly like the trumpet he plays!

[@larryairgood4320]

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was given his nickname as a child, and Satchmo is generally understood to be derived from the nickname "satchel mouth" which preceded Satchmo as a nickname. And while Louis commercially retained that nickname for decades, behind the scenes he had the fond nickname of "Pops", which came about in a "turn about is fair play" life sequence. Story: Adult Louis Armstrong had frequent trouble remembering people's names and would subsequently throw out "Pops" when speaking to someone, "Hey, Pops..." "Pops, tell me.." And as life makes of things, people began reversing it and calling Armstrong "Pops". Bing Crosby, for example, called his friend, Armstrong, "Pops". Check out, from the film "High Society (1956) the performance of Crosby and Armstrong doing "Now You Has Jazz". (a popular, often referenced movie clip)

[@nathanfisher1826]

So gooood😊

[@joeabraham8390]

Louis was a true hep cat. One of a kind!

[@TheToscanaMan]

I just love Ella. Yeah she is a class act. I have several of her recordings including songbooks by Harold Arlen and Jerome Kern. Louie can sing too haha Great reaction to him Britt.

[@mikeyd7749]

This is not about the Bayou in Louisiana. This is from the musical Porgy & Bess which is set in Charleston, SC. I am a NY transplant to the area and it is simply beautiful. Been here almost 10 years.

[@albertjflores8950]

Listen to what a wonderful world

[@Bryn061]

you will want to listen to Louis sing What a Wonderful World and Ella sing Cry Me a River!! What a blessing in our lives.

[@maryrowell1122]

Both of these are like heaven's music

[@doltim]

Jazz vocal improvisation, Scat, Ella and Louis.

[@gailhodges7353]

Louis was a man that reached beyond barriers of black and white and transcended generations. Truly an amazing man. I was fortunate enough to see and listen to him at Disneyland on a warm summer evening. I spent the whole time I was there listening to him. I have never forgotten the magic of that night.

[@ronaubery2459]

Another duet to check out is Bing Crosby and Satchmo doing "Now that's jazz".

[@eljoh]

Bing and Louis did an album. 1960. Bill May was arranger and band leader. It’s SO MUCH FUN!! Dardenella, The Preacher …also Johnny Mercer briefly singing with chorus and taking a solo line on -Bye Bye Blues (I think that’s the one)….

[@kevinmuzerMetalMind64]

Listen to Ella's Scat somerime. Also Listen to Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney and Peggy Lee. .All Amazing singers from that era!!

[@FlyingAngel0638]

And their younger version, Angelina Jordan. 😊

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

Timeless classic. Enough said.

[@wanderer0617]

I love this so much. I listen to it often when I'm flying. Makes me feel like I'm in New Orleans ❤

[@vernonslone8627]

Hello Dolly....Look for it....

[@mtngrl5859]

Yes, Louis was a master & a great performer. This is from Porgy & Bess George and Ira Gershwin's opera, I believe the first All Black opera, I believe. Anyway, it was quite an accomplishment for 1935 & is still performed. The Gershwins were a magical team as well.

[@gitchegumee]

I remember listening to both of these great artists when I was a kid in the 60s.

[@HS-ol4zl]

Oh... German Big Band leader Max Greger on the saxophone. Great recording!

[@Hili47]

From Porgy and Bess. Ella & Louis, Billie Holiday, and Janis Joplin all did covers of this song.

[@allmotivation3827]

Here's a deep cut on Louis: Don't You Play Me Cheap. It's when he's young and killin' it. Here he's old and killin' it. Louis is always killin' it.

[@WilliamGreer]

Ella Fitzgerald is the queen of jazz. Voice like an ocean of cream and I miss her more than dead relatives.

[@davidkelley8964]

Epic! Have to listen to "What a wonderful world " and "we have all the time in the world "

[@mikekuehne5393]

These two artists are masters of performance. They are the backbone of jazz, pop and rock.

[@wacka40]

Louis was the Mozart of the 20th century

[@thtithilrunagate4577]

that's easy work for two of the 20th century's greatest musicians

[@lunadyana3330]

Louie Armstrong, "what a Wonderful World" If ever you're feeling a little down, that's the ticket

[@henryhollingsworth4955]

You gotta do more Ella!

[@deanm375]

Vibrato. Ella what a consummate Jazz singer.

[@jimcarberry8262]

You must hear Louie Armstrong sing a Wonderful World

[@byronbellaem6122]

I love Satchmo's (as he's affectionally called) voice given that he's able to make you feel every bit of what a song embodies. Ella and Louis are one of the most iconic pairs in music history and it's safe to say that we won't see another such duo in our lifetimes. Personally, I love "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "La Vie en Rose" more, particularly when he was singing alone. If memory serves, the latter was the music in Wall-E during the scenes when the titular character was courting Eve.

[@anonymous19844]

A lot of people don't know that more than any other jazz artist, Louis Armstrong can authentically be called the Godfather of Jazz - going back to the 1920s and after. He was a great technician and one of the greatest trumpet players but blew out his lip when he was younger and could never play the same, but still, with less technical ability, continued to be wonderful as in this recording.

[@ejtappan1802]

You described the feel of this song perfecrly... there is a real thickness to the summer heat. Satchmo and Ella... it just doesn't get any better!!

[@marleybob3157]

Ella and Louis recorded three albums "Ella & Louis" (1956) , Ella & Louis Again (1957) and "Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Porgy and Bess" (recorded in 1957, released in 1959). All three are masterpieces, the first two have perhaps the greatest backing instrumentalists of all time - Oscar Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (bass), Herb Ellis (guitar) and Buddy Rich (drums). Anything from the first two albums will reach your soul and make your heart weep with happiness. Allow me to suggest "Cheek to Cheek", "Can't We Be Friends?" or "They Can't Take That Away from Me" as the next Ella and Louis song you cover.

[@vampfashions]

I got to talk with Oscar Peterson a few times. He was truly a gentleman and a masterful talent.

[@marleybob3157]

@@vampfashions I saw Ella perform three times. I actually saw Both Ella and Oscar at the 1982 Kool Jazz Festival in Philadelphia at the Mann Music Center. Count Basie and his Orchestra played for about 90 minutes followed by Oscar playing solo for about 90 minutes (one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed) followed by Ella who played for about 90 minutes to close the show. Amazing experience.

[@ronaldendaniellejansen9921]

A masterpiece. Two wonderful legends together.

[@hazelanglin5907]

He sings wonderful world. You must have heard it

[@ThistleAndSea]

Ella & Louis were both American Treasures for sure. They did two recordings of standards as duets with each other which are a must to hear sometime. Treat yourself, Britt, and add those to your music collection. Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂

[@timstewart9026]

Two of the greatest of the 20th century.

[@daveluck5717]

'Crisp and Clear' ,, 'A class act' ... All those things and more !! ... Two legends right there !

[@lnbarnes917]

He was awesome ! Listen to What A Wonderful World by him ! You won’t regret it ! He was raised by a Jewish family that took him in ! They loved him and he loved them !

[@garyarnett1220]

Now you understand why you knew their names, two of the absolute greats. Louis was a fantastic horn player and vocalist. And Ells is... well, just Ella.

[@jamescanole3940]

I believe Louis Armstrong was selected as the most influential musician of the 20th century.

[@lisahood1389]

Honey, Ella is THE QUEEN of music. She can sing anything and is a master at scatting and jazz and all things music. Check out her version ofBlue Skies, It Don’t Mean a thing, or really ANYTHING!! I was raised on her and she is my fav singer of all time. She often partnered with Louie and did a few albums with him. If you ever want to see REAL scatting, check out her and Mel Torme together. AMAzing!!