I'VE NEVER HEARD OF HER!.. *First Time Hearing* Ella Fitzgerald - Summertime | REACTION

[@rhiahlMT]

I can't believe I live in a world where people have never heard Ella. I'm getting old.

[@geetee2694]

I know. Have you heard of Etta James? lol Or Elizabeth Cotten (When I'm Gone/ Freight Train). :)

[@mollydooker9636]

Sarah Vaughn anyone!

[@kenvarnold3659]

With you there...who hasn't heard of Ella?

[@connienovak1011]

One of the most beautiful voices, and her version of Summertime just takes one's breath away!

[@lailavikstrom9219]

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT !!!! STUNNING PERFORMANCE!! I CRIED ,HEARING THIS.

[@liaboyd8464]

Ella was primarily a jazz singer, so there are plenty of faster tempos in her catalog. Summertime is a classic, and this rendition is all about her voice. Both she and Billie Holiday have voices that remind me of wind instruments, the clarinet in particular. Keep diving in to Miss Ella, you won't be disappointed

[@lowellhendrix7889]

The song is from George Gershwin's opera , Porgy and Bess.

[@luciac.419]

Yes her ability to do scat is amazing but i like this bc she has almost blusey sultry voice here & i wish she also did more of that. She was so talented

[@karolyn8644]

Thank you for reacting to Ella Fitzgerald, one of the greatest, most famous & most highly regarded jazz singers of all time. You might enjoy reacting to more of her work. I had the great good fortune to see her live in concert with Jazz at the Philharmonic way back in about 1956. It was one of the most memorable events of my very long life.

[@ikshields]

How on Earth did you manage to get through life without hearing of Ella?!!! This is astonishing. This is one of the greatest singers of the 20th Century, dude!

[@Jonathan_Taylor]

Watch her duets. Especially with Louis Armstrong..

[@janetta5153]

Ella and Louis doing the song "Baby its cold outside" One of my all time faves.

[@bryanCJC2105]

There is so much to learn about Ella Fitzgerald. Her music and her life story and the things she went through are incredible. All I can say is this: keep listening to her. You will absolutely love the journey. A good starting point are her duets with another legendary musician, Louis Armstrong.

[@TG-fe7si]

I would watch this movie if they ever would make it!

[@jerryb1439]

Ella Fitzgerald started as a popular band singer in the 30's, transitioned to jazz in the 40's and then in the 50's began recording "the great American songbook," all of the great standards. She is famous for her scat singing and her perfect pitch. One of the greatest voices of the 20th century. While this is a great rendition of "Summertime," you really need to listen to a wide variety of her work to get a feel for her versatility. She could sing the phone book and make it sound great.

[@mdunawaym]

Stevie Wonder referenced her in his song Sir Duke. She was the queen of skat! Such a glorious voice! And the way she used it throughout her career was just so beautiful!

[@kirkrelf1402]

So fun to see you discover Ella. No one better, ever!!!! You could spend the rest of your life listening to her recordings.

[@beedeegee9374]

She is a true American treasure and icon.

[@58fcorley]

I am so glad you have discovered Ella Fitzgerald. She was, and is, a legend.

[@dagmar.6954]

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)". This is timeless music that has endured for decades.

[@patriciagallagher6027]

Can't believe I knew the word's! Love her...

[@Nonnie335]

Ms Ella just gave a Master Class on Jazz singing. She coaxed the listener along with those long notes. She would throw in scats like they were nothing. She was in control the whole time and I loved every second of it!

[@glenncowan1323]

Possibly the best singer of all Time! Do more.

[@Emilyhildegaard1]

She was widely loved and admired. What a lady!!!

[@kevinmalone2218]

She was an amazing talent. I also remember her shattering a champagne glass with her voice. I believe it was a commercial for Memorex cassette tapes.

[@tedmaloof234]

Is it live, or is it Memorex?

[@sallysharp3845]

This is a song by the composer George Gershwin from the Opera Porgy and Bess.

[@Siouxsi-Sioux]

Try Etta James singing At Last. Equally as beautiful.

[@rabrab3]

You are witnessing Royalty!! The Queen of jazz!

[@curtismartin2866]

Oh dear. I'm 56. I am constantly reminded of this when watching reaction videos. But a young Black man NOT knowing who Ella Fitzgerald is, is a crime. I'm glad you know now. Ella is a giant of Jazz. You could listen to. All Ella, all the time, for a solid year and you might not exhaust her catalog. And if you did, you would want to start over. Whether on the channel or off, you'll want to get to know Ella.

[@robertgieseler1220]

I wholehartedly agree with every word you wrote. I wonder if you know French singer France Gall's tribute song to Ella Fitzgerald titled "Ella -- elle l'a" (a French play with words meaning "Ella -- she's got it", plus she placed some other Black icons into her video clip). As a fan you should be aware of it. 🙂 All the very best from Germany

[@jolenewitzel7919]

Ella is a legend!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@traceyraffle6675]

Ella was definitely a jazz icon...as was Etta James and Sarah Vaughn :)

[@patriciagallagher6027]

my parents blared this song through the house in the 60'!! She gives me chills buddy.

[@ginnys9831]

She was the Queen of Jazz!!

[@bookcraver1]

Ella Fitzgerald, the "First Lady of Song", won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums! You should check out her "Live from Berlin" version of "Mack the Knife" where she forgets the lyrics, makes up her own lyrics (!) and then...WINS A GRAMMY for it! It's the only time someone has won a Grammy for screwing up a song. Brilliant!

[@tomchun1968]

Great scat on “how high the moon” from the same album.

[@sheilawhite7044]

Ella Fitzgerald was at the top of the jazz/blues genre. Few reached her standard. She did duets with Sinatra too and was frequently on t.v. so the whole family knew who she was. This was her rendition of Summertime. The song was written by George Gershwin for his operetta, "Porgy and Bess".

[@jamessullivan5860]

Ella is the GOAT of jazz. She’s got a huge library of recorded songs with plenty of upbeat music and skat.

[@helenstewart2392]

I remember her very well. Always loved her. She was at the White House often; such a well-respected talent of her time. Thanks sir for the reaction!

[@lesscarmel5527]

I feel we have failed you as a society if you have never heard of Ella before now. A true American original. An epic talent. I had the privilege of seeing her in concert as a little girl with Count Basie and his orchestra and I will never forget it. My mom became a singer because of Ella. Her music has always been part of my life. She was not a songwriter, so she always sang other people’s compositions, but her interpretations are always among the best. Definitely check out her live duets with Frank Sinatra-they are on KZbin and they SWING hard!

[@firecracker187]

Ella has one of the most beautiful female voices ever. Her pipes are like butter.

[@Barbara-sn5gz]

Ella never had to search for her notes. She simply opened her mouth and brought forth pure gold!

[@truus5653]

Ella Fitzgerald, best Jazz singer of all time , the Queen

[@connienovak1011]

The song "Summertime" is from the musical Porgy And Bess. One of my favorite songs.

[@arl1958]

Love Miss Ella....no one has ever had a voice like hers. She makes my soul mellow, love her

[@garyporter1702]

My fathers' favorite female singer (and I'm 69 years old)! I was raised on this music!

[@janetta5153]

I love the smooth sound of Miss Ella. I'm an old white woman of 50 that grew up with Ella, and Lena Horne, albums in our house... We listened to the greats and I am thrilled to hear you react to her...

[@christinageha7371]

She’s awesome

[@jeanniewright2554]

The Delightful Ms. Ella could also sing scat with the best of the men!! Fast or slow, she was always remarkable!!!

[@suzie4417]

Ella is amazing singing by herself & as well I love her singing with Louie Armstrong🎺 This production is soo good 💎💎💎💝

[@luciac.419]

My grandpa listened to her. I would come walking in my grandparents house on a Spring day & my grandpop would be blasting her albums. I loved his music (of his times) way better than my parents music

[@jfree336]

I love Ella! She has a vast catalog of music. One of the best scatters ever

[@bonhamsghost6798]

In the early 70’s, we went to visit my great grandmother near East St. Louis. When we got near, we saw that every billboard and every sign in sight had been painted over with the words Welcome Ella Fitzgerald. I was in awe and have been ever since.

[@robertspeicher5047]

WOW....Hard to believe " never heard of ELLA". The old recording tape makers with is it Ella or a recording?

[@sharonshafer9481]

I was a rock n' roll teen in 1968- Ella Fitzgerald being the exception. Wonderful!

[@TheDivayenta]

The Queen of Jazz singing and scatting! Bow to the Queen!!!

[@cherish9493]

Omgosh I adore Ella Fitzgerald. U cannot find anything less than pure divine excellence from her work. 💜💜💜🌹💜💜💜 It's her soul 💜. You gotta check out much more of her stuff even just on ur own. It's very worth ur time.

[@leoguernsey1]

Adogg, Ella was universally regarded as a musical Goddess. For a rough measure of her accomplishments, I just checked Amazon. A search of "Ella Fitzgzerald" returned over 2000 results over 145 pages. She sang everything and recorded everything. All of the other greats wanted to sing with her: Sinatra, Tony Bennett, all the Big Bands like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong. You have heard her sing once and from now on, you will recognize that voice. She known as a genius at "scattin" . If you go down this rabbit hole, it will be a deep one.

[@rebelwithacause7334]

I was raised with her songs and I still get goosebumps when she sings!

[@JC-rb3hj]

Ella was magnificent. A real thank you to my mother for introducing me to these great artists. I miss her.

[@cindycloy507]

She's my favorite singer of all time. She is the boss.

[@coronet51]

I have to laugh when I hear you say you never heard of her, but of course, you're very young. However, I'm thrilled that you are discovering the great talents and music from years ago (love your reactions), that we older folks grew up with, and were treated to regularly on TV or radio or records. In 1968, Ella would have been 51, and had been singing since the 1930's. Keep on listening Mr. Adogg!

[@karenc2192]

My favorite singer!! She was MARVELOUS!!!

[@alanschechterly245]

One of the last old time Blues/Jazz singers. I remember watching her as a kid. I wasn't into her style of music, but I always loved her voice.

[@mdunawaym]

Sorry for the double comments, but I believe this song was from the musical Porgy and Bess. Beautiful music from the Gershwin brothers I believe!

[@karolyn8644]

Correct. This is what Wikipedia has to say: "Summertime (George Gershwin song) " Summertime " is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, and Ira Gershwin."

[@mdunawaym]

@@karolyn8644 The whole opera was just gorgeous!

[@gizmo5925]

There has never been a greater jazz singer than Ella Fitzgerald. She makes it all look so easy--the mark of a true artist. You can't go wrong with Ella. Listen to her interpretations of "Cry Me a River" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered."

[@ellenlanderson]

Any and I mean ANY song she sings is fantastic!! Somertime was covered by many artists. First heard in 1935 it became even more well known from the play Porgy & Bess. If you haven't watched the movie try to find it. It was so far before it's time.

[@lowellhendrix7889]

Gershwin wasthe composer for Porgy and Bess. Fantastic composer for fantastic artists.

[@markthomas2577]

The greatest female popular singer of the 20th Century ........

[@ModernMythMuseum]

The greatest female singer of them all. Check out her and Sinatra doing Lady is a Tramp.

[@Lakeshore14]

Ella sang many duets with Frank Sinatra. He loved her. Sinatra once said the only singer who made him nervous to sing with was Ella Fitzgerald because she was soooo good. She was perfection. She was also known for scatting . You should listen to her singing the Lady is a Tramp with Sinatra. Thanks for your reaction to this great lady.

[@christinadonohue2552]

I am so grateful to my mother for introducing me to so many great singers such as the great Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra or bands like the Beatles, the Mammas and the Papas, the Byrds, the Zombies and the Who among many others. My mamma, God rest her, had an amazing and broad music taste.

[@billc.5861]

Ms Ella was just a class act with an incredible voice. One of a kind.

[@maureenloftus6717]

She also could sing (& scat) really , really fast 💨 Early in her career, she fronted Chick Webb’s big band, where she sang mostly dance tunes & “novelty “ songs 🎶 She’s probably best known for her songbook albums, where she covered popular songs from some of the greatest American composers ( The Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, Duke Ellington , Cole Porter, Irving Berlin) recording dozens of classic songs ❤️

[@donnamcgill4066]

Congratulations! May your discovery of Ella take you on a magical musical tour!

[@ronhunt9396]

CROONER. SMOOOOTH. I remember her well since I'll be 74 in February

[@michaelgreisinger5255]

Ella Fitzgerald is my dad's favorite female singer. I was raised listening to her & she's one of my favorites as well.

[@lydiaholcomb7592]

This really brought back great memories. My grandfather used to play Ella Fitzgerald's records on his record player and sit in his chair with his feet up and his eyes closed. The only thing I remember him saying is "Now THIS is a real singer." And if anybody made a sound while he was listening to his Ella, he shushed us. "Shhhhh... be quiet. Listen to her voice."

[@scoobysnacks]

Such a legend. And that voice....wow!

[@horrido666]

I know her from her commercials breaking glasses for Memorex. They got a lot of mileage out of those tapes.

[@jfree336]

Is it live or is it Memorex? I remember those well

[@geniej9093]

Where have you been? Never hear of Miss Ella Fitzgerald? Yes, WOW!

[@deborahbooke5443]

from Porgy and Bess

[@OhNightDivine7]

You need to hear Etta James “At Last” if you haven’t already. It’s magnificent ❤

[@MultiCatPass]

One of the absolute highlights of my LIFE is hearing her live with her combo with the San Francisco Symphony in the 1980s. She was INCREDIBLE. It was a religious experience.

[@chriscraftguy]

The greatest voice God ever blessed anyone with. Her near 60-year career is filled with so much , one could never possibly tire of hearing her vocal perfection.

[@bamagirl218]

Keep ‘em coming Adogg. You won’t be disappointed 💕

[@Kit-l3b]

Summertime is from the opera, Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, first performed in 1935. It's been covered countless times by many people (and movies?). Ella Fitzgerald is top tier. Thanks for reacting to this!

[@janabandana4240]

I had a chance to see her twice. I am so happy I was able to see her live. She had a beautiful instrument and was an extremely talented jazz vocalist.

[@dianechaves4071]

Great reaction and great song written by George Gershwin for the play called Porgy and Bess. It's been covered by many artists, including Janis Joplin. Ella is a legend! There's a you tube video with Ella Fitzgerald singing with Karen Carpenter. You should check it out. It's fantastic.

[@itsakittyting]

She is wellknown world round, Europe too, I know her from Porgy & Bess

[@cynthianavarro4316]

Finally! Someone is reacting to Ella! She plays her voice like an instrument. Her pitch is absolutely perfect. Try some faster tempo songs. She's very jazzy and innovative with her variations of the main melody.

[@Jules-um4yy]

This song gives me the chills. Ella has such a gorgeous voice and the mood she brings to the lyrics is masterful. Thank you so much for posting this one. I am super relaxed now☺🧡

[@carolinapandies]

Omnoway!!!!!

[@nateroo]

Ella Fitzgerald performed alongside Duke Ellington and had MANY many hits! My late parents swing-danced jitterbug/lindy-hop to them all the time. Two of my favorites are "E & D Blues" (Ella and Duke) as well as "A-Tisket A-Tasket" ... they're both much more upbeat than Summertime and I think you'll like them because they showcase Ella's jazz voice improv as well as Duke Ellington's big band....check 'em out Brah!!!

[@taxiscratcher5935]

Was going through some albums from my parent's estate and found one of her albums on a 78 disc. Found several 78 records and a couple of painted albums. Think I might get me a record player for Christmas so I can listen to them. LOL

[@kwanshiyin]

I would gladly pay to hear her sing the phone book. She was amazing, I guarantee you will love her work.

[@raymartin7172]

I am an old white guy from an island in northern Europe. I worshipped Ella and her contemporaries from the age of fourteen. What have you been doing with your life?

[@tlgarrison8433]

Miss Ella was well known for "skatting," which she developed when she forgot the lyrics whilst performing and adlibbed. Afterwards, it became part of her act. This is a classic example of one of her epic slats. Over minutes of off the cuff vocals. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3i4nqukjs2YgZI

[@sharonvincent4238]

Ella was one of the greatest jazz singers ever!

[@GinMae]

Thanks, Adog! Ella was classic... you should also hear some of her others...and Etta James... these ladies had it all! Look forward to more...

[@francesthompson593]

It’s from the musical Porgy and Bess. Ellla’s career goes back to the 1940’s and she is primarily a Jazz Singer!

[@Jonni1027]

I was raised on rock and roll going to every big concert in San Francisco, my very first the Beatles. I’m huge fan of so many female artists from Joni Mitchell to Janis Joplin but Ella has always been my favorite female singer. I got to see her live at a super club in SF in the early 80s and she was amazing. She sounds as if she’s a young woman in her 20s.

[@janetf23]

I'll bet you'd love hearing Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong together on their three albums, Ella and Louis(1956), Ella and Louis Again (1957), and Porgy and Bess (1959). I've loved hearing them all my life! ✨✌ This song is from George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess"

[@danielkesselring9172]

I was raised on Ella.. thank heavens for my parents 👍🏻💪🏻❤️❤️

[@donnamoskowitz4978]

Thanks for sharing your reaction! That voice takes me to church every single time!!!

[@mikeshaffer5844]

It amazes me when someone in the younger generation has never heard of someone of Ella’s stature. It’s a mystery that doesn’t seem real in this day and age of what has been captured and stored, but it’s real. There was much of our past that was lost in a fire a few decades ago, but there is much more we are unaware of that is available and preserved from the 1920s into the modern era. I would hope that by now it would be duplicated and further preserved for generations to come. I can still hear the first spoken words on video…”Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothing yet.” And Al Jolson started whistling and singing to introduce movies that spoke words to us for the first time.

[@perrymalcolm3802]

My top 3 favorite female vocalists whose styles are quite different are Ella, Judy Garland and Streisand. Ella is amazing and the most deeply jazz oriented (like here) of the three

[@brookehornback1896]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[@greendoor49]

It's a cover of the song written for the musical "Porgy & Bess...superb voice from Ella

[@jessicalee7119]

She is an icon! Keep on reacting to her huge library of songs ~ ~ ~ The Lady is a Tramp, Mack the Knife, any song with Louie Armstrong.