How Ella Fitzgerald Turned Forgotten Lyrics Into One Of Her Best Performances Ever

Most people who don't know jazz can probably recognize the name of one of the genre's best singers: Ella Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is one of the eight women at the center of this season of NPR Music's Turning the Tables, and she's arguably one of the most important vocalists not just in jazz but in the entire history of American music. With an exceptional vocal style, supreme technical capabilities and a spirited energy, she was "The First Lady of Song."
By 1960, Fitzgerald had become a global sensation. That February she gave an unforgettable performance in West Berlin for an audience of thousands. On the set list was "Mack The Knife," a huge hit first made popular by Bobby Darin and Louis Armstrong. Fitzgerald sang the song flawlessly until about halfway through, when she forgot the lyrics. But she didn't stumble - instead, she playfully free-styled her way to the end with nonsense syllables and improvised words - the singular jazz style called scatting. This unforgettable and Grammy Award-winning performance demonstrated her masterful grace under pressure.
Later in the set, Fitzgerald showed off her scat skills again in her interpretation of "How High The Moon." Considered to be one of the best scat solos ever recorded, it demonstrates her sharp vocal control, perfect intonation and rhythmic acumen. Besides its musical excellence, the performance also revealed her ironic sense of humor and gift for "quoting," or referencing other songs while improvising. Jazz critic Will Friedwald says Fitzgerald was the all-time master of quoting. He remembers he once "went through the song bar by bar and pulled out 50 songs that she quoted in, like, five minutes. Just incredible the way her mind works!"
While her musicianship was legendary, what may be most important is the legacy she's left for the vocalists who followed. Before Fitzgerald, singers weren't considered musicians the same way instrumentalists were; at that time, "the only requirement for a vocalist was to sing the lyrics," says singer Charenee Wade. But Fitzgerald proved that singers were capable of the same level of artistry as any other member of the band. Wade continues, "I'm just thankful that she did that for us. She created a pathway for vocalists to be a part of what I consider to be all the fun."
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[@Sajirah]

Only Ella could win 2 Grammys by forgetting the lyrics to a song.

[@richardgrant418]

Are you trying to say that she won the two Grammys for that performance, or her scat??

[@leonleiffer1915]

She hasn't forgotten her lyrics, that's the EMPRESS version, She's one of the greatest vocalist ever, SHE'S ON ANOTHER LEVEL THE BLACKSTONES/BRAFA SQUARE

[@evanhosley2360]

It’s not about how much you mess up, it’s how you handle it when you do.

[@luvmenow33]

It's no surprise that this is amazing I mean it has nothing to do with the lyrics she's singing We just want to hear her voice Not to mention her Louie Armstrong Impressions is amazing

[@danielfleming9630]

T’ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it

[@freeheeler09]

There are performers and there are songs that transcend everything. Ella is a singer for all ages and all cultures. If and when we humans ever set off for other stars, you can be sure that their digital library will include Ella Fitzgerald.

[@marieblue]

The First Lady of Song was one of the most iconic voices in jazz history. She had some outstanding pipes, and could also remain utterly cool under pressure, even if she forgot her lyrics. Case in point… The Queen of Jazz was in the middle of an incredible performance (she was recording her live album “Ella in Berlin”) when she started crooning her cover of “Mack the Knife.” She got halfway through the tune with no issues… until she forgot the rest of the text❗️ Ever the entertainer, she IMPROVISED by scatting her way to the end, giving the piece a unique Fitzgerald jazz spin. ONLY A NATURAL COULD PULL THAT OFF‼️ She was granted the Grammy Awards for Best Female Vocal Performance - Single & Best Vocal Performance, Female (Album) in 1961❕ 💙🔪💚 Always loved, never forgotten, forever missed will you remain, WONDERFUL ELLA (1917 - 1996)… 🌹

[@preedestined1]

Only our Queen could forget the words and still win 2 Grammy's!

[@3arbara7]

Genius!!! On 1975 at the Hannover Duets, she sang with Joe Pass and she made a mistake twice at the voice's entrance in the song "Avalon", interrupting the guitar intro, so the second time she confused sang "I'm sorryyyyyy" 😂.

[@UncleDuTheWatchman]

That Mack The Knife CD is FIRE!!!!!! My absolute favorite Ella project and that says a LOT because I have almost ALL her projects!!!

[@nanaberry4120]

Her Berlin album is one of my favorites.

[@missveggievixen4649]

I absolutely LOVE 💘 all the love in the comments, for this fabulous artist! She is a gem, amongst many others who sparkle bright in her era! ❣ to all the gems an ❤ to everyone here!

[@254madmax]

This is the kind of research that enriches my life. Thank you! Also earworm much? Mind taking it up a notch then 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@milesfarrimond2445]

What a classy lady, and an immensely gifted artist Ella was ! I really appreciate this well produced video...as entertaining as it is informative !...

[@josevalencia9233]

Listening Ella makes me feel better, definitely

[@grahamharrity2711]

ELLA, A GREAT ARTIST, YOU NEVER HEAR MUCH OF HER ANYMORE, IF SHE WAS STILL ALIVE, IN TODAY'S MARKET SHE WOULD STILL BE THE TOPS

[@teresameyer9418]

Ella remains the gem of music!

[@juliettedemaso7588]

God in heaven I love her so much. My teenagers have her all throughout their playlists too. ❤️

[@angelcastagnola5796]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@mamamurray2]

I was listening to this in the car today and thinking about how awesome Ella was. Apparently my phone was listening too and told KZbin to suggest this video.

[@jpbowie]

A legend in her own time -- a life well lived -- a joy for us all.

[@debbw6306]

My absolute favorite female singer!!!

[@cenispickdock]

ooooh louis miller ooooh something about cash bruh amazing

[@dallisb1047]

Ella is quite simply the best!

[@katherinemonday1281]

Loved this! Super informative and fun treatment of visuals :-)

[@AdaughterofEloheim]

Loveeee this! Absolutely wonderful! So much beautiful info on a performer that changed history.

[@cameronc6685]

Got that record in vinyl for 3 dollars 😎

[@nuke9915]

bro i'm watching this in school but this actually kinda bops

[@albertocevallos5468]

Now, Ella, Ella... and his fellas....what a genius! I love Ella ...

[@blakey.hatton]

Shoutout to Jazz Night in America for making a full description. That’s something I haven’t seen in a while.

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude.

[@g.a4457]

I love Ella :~

[@missveggievixen4649]

Fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing all this information about her! I love when these kinds of videos expose already wonderful artists, even more amazing facts, that some ppl, (such as myself lol), may have not known before 😁 so I really appreciate it!

[@debhanna8935]

One of the most beautiful people that we will ever know and hear. Check her story with her sister

[@TheRealG2024]

The GOAT!

[@guystudios]

I love Ella!!! ❤️

[@justinkrohn5132]

Love the Damien Lillard shot in there

[@cristiansiles]

Oh Ella!....

[@tomyates27]

"You won't recognize it / It's a surprise hit"

[@autumn975]

❤️ her

[@kathybro5678]

My favorite is a tisket a tasket

[@kerencanelo8580]

What s the song that she quoting

[@SuperMpare]

The voice of jetz🎵🎶♩& scat💃👏

[@moxyblackfiddler]

I have a recording of this on a compilation album

[@vonettahunt2378]

Black Girl magic baby. We improvise and get it done

[@Bebop17]

Like the Robin Williams of Jazz. So great!

[@Zinovy-x6g]

В эту песню она вставила многих музыкантов и Луи Армстронга, а когда он пел эту песню он в неё вставил Эллу Фитцджеральд.

[@remixdiamond2276]

hate how none of songs are label like 4:10 like the song she sang these bar i want to hear that song and see if on yt gen z we love this

[@benis_in_baginaX----DDDD]

What's the song playing in the beginning?

[@danar6848]

Holly molly

[@borjoborja]

The Threepenny Opera

[@Loppy8]

Vocal improvisation can be found in various cultures. Because of this no one can be truly credited with 'inventing' vocal improvisation. This issue is not important, anyway. Ella must be considered the 'Best of the Best' jazz vocalists and among the best in any genres.

[@ralfschumann6201]

❤

[@preedestined1]

Only we could make a mistake and still win!!!

[@jeshkam]

Ella was a hip hop/sampling pioneer.

[@hukama6911]

number 15... the last thing you want in a burger king burger

[@ref3669]

anyone else doing this for a assignment

[@martmart.]

no wonder. she's a "sup". Vought International has her back. Ella with Stan Edgar (see 3:20)

[@christopheraryo3040]

crazy

[@truebetold65]

Virginia's finest.

[@juwonnnnn]

👍

[@nanettehutson6674]

Brilliant!! LOL

[@ProximaCentauri88]

Grammys winners today: "Who run this motha...? Who run this motha...? Who run this motha...? (written by several people)

[@SM-ik8lu]

Lol so cool

[@jbrisby]

Ella Fitzgerald would hate your vocal fry.

[@chenzenzo]

She was absolutely incredible! Mel Torme (one of the greatest singers of all time) loved her and dedicated one of his best performances to her: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ravUaXWni9OEgLssi=pi2Mg44cnwFb5yBe

[@ChrisLopez-o5j]

Sorry to ruin it but she didn’t inspire Sinatra it was bing Crosby who inspired him and I do believe that Ella is important still tho

[@harridan.]

not Nearly Perfect rythym and pitch, PERFECT Rythm and Pitch

[@mangmike3710]

Ella is the Eminem of her days

[@heroxzq1263]

Oh please, NO

[@mangmike3710]

@@heroxzq1263 not quite an eminem fan are we

[@heroxzq1263]

@@mangmike3710 oh i am. But to say Ella is the Eminem of her days is just nuts. Lol

[@harridan.]

She was So Much More than that

[@Lau4r]

😵

[@richardgrant418]

“Ella make scat what it is today” … what a rubbish line with no substantiation. Who sings scat like Ella in Berlin on that Night in Berlin in 1960

[@Alpha-Andromeda]

This would have been much better if the narrator didn’t have a smirky high school girl voice and intonation.

[@markgoddard2560]

God will Americans ever stop talking and just play what’s advertised.....without the glottal croak too.