Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"

Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" on The Ed Sullivan Show on March 7, 1965. Subscribe now to never miss an update: ume.lnk.to/EdSullivanSubscribe
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The Ed Sullivan Show was a television variety program that aired on CBS from 1948-1971. For 23 years it aired every Sunday night and played host to the world's greatest talents. The Ed Sullivan Show is well known for bringing rock n' roll music to the forefront of American culture through acts like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The entertainers each week ranged from comedians like Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield, to Broadway stars Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, to pop singers such as Bobby Darin and Petula Clark. It also frequently featured stars of Motown such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5. The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the only places on American television where such a wide variety of popular culture was showcased and its legacy lives on to this day.
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#EllaFitzgerald #DukeEllington #EdSullivan #EdSullivanShow

[@owethumhlongo1494]

She deserved a title ' Queen of Jazz' without a doubt! 😊

[@chaumari]

It was between her and Sarah Vaughn💐

[@direfranchement]

She had a better title---The First Lady of Song. She was called thr Queen of Scat, and certainly she was a singer birthed of the Swing era, but she was so versatile to call her the Queen of Jazz would give insight into only one dimension of her craft. She was bigger than that.

[@mthunzimhlongo660]

ACTUALLY THE GODDESS OF JAZZ

[@owethumhlongo1494]

Indeed NJOMANE

[@peterblack1639]

Owethu Mhlongo yes she was clearly the Queen Of Jazz singing in a style that has long been lost.....

[@oliviac295]

I’m blown away by how clearly each note Ella sings rings out, even at a fast pace. She is incredible

[@wakeupsunnysideup]

every single song

[@stanclark8824]

Talent that might not exist these days.

[@tmg7866]

@@stanclark8824 Veronica Swift comes close 🤙🏽

[@stanclark8824]

@@tmg7866 true.

[@inapix]

I just love how the Duke clearly is in awe of her, with his little glances and smiles at her while she’s singing and his hug afterwards. Ella seems like such a lovely person, as well as such an incredible singer!

[@marckodiak8513]

After you mentioned this I went back and watched this, I am always just so focused on her but yes he is 🤩

[@dalilabendjedou2061]

I’m French and listening the song in my school Sorry my English is....😂 so I’m 12 year

[@KiraSlith]

I would be too, the pipes on her were incredible, dare I say a revolutionary marvel for the era. The only other places you saw anything comparable was the competitive era of rap (late 90s to the end of the 00s) and Scatman, and none of them could both fill a room with their voice and singing like that at the same time.

[@CornbreadOracle]

It’s said that her pitch was so perfect that the band could tune their instruments to her voice.

[@sammyyiieiieieieie]

This wasn't the only time something similar was captured. There's another photo from several years prior to this where Ella was on stage and Duke was in the audience with other big names in the industry like Richard Rogers. He's definitely in awe of Ella ever since.

[@misseli1]

I love how she clearly knows what she's doing while improvising and knows which notes she's going to sing next, even at that speed

[@thewendigowithwifi3739]

Some people are just on another level she is about 6 levels above them

[@paulabutel7370]

Jazz ,baby ...

[@Mike_Neal]

No one and I mean NO ONE can scat like Ella! Lord have mercy!

[@SouledOutEm]

Facts

[@chaumari]

No lies detected!

[@JoopSloot]

Caterina Valente did a pretty good job too.

[@adamlarsson3828]

just incredible.

[@pragmatica7201]

Yes Sir or Maam

[@soleil1758]

The 52 dislikes are people who aren't with that swing

[@TheRetirednavy92]

haters, what can I say. I'm so old I saw this on TV as a 12 year old.

[@please.665]

Most likely Americans...

[@christinadone774]

@@please.665 If you don’t mind me asking. What do Americans have to do with anything?

[@please.665]

@@christinadone774 Everything. We aren't known for our taste.

[@pianowithpri9123]

Those folks who only know how to play straight 8th notes. :)

[@kadegainey5123]

When people talk about great improvisers they usually talk about horn and piano players and Ella is typically left out. In my opinion she is one of the best improvisers ever regardless of instrument.

[@emanx222]

Her note choices are UNREAL

[@BernardJTarver]

At 1:11 into the video, during Duke's solo, he riffs in the first few notes of his other hit "Satin Doll." Look to the left of the screen and you'll see saxophonist Russell Procope go into hysterics. It was a common thing for jazz musicians to riff a few notes from other songs into their solos, mostly for their own and their bandmates amusement. Procope was indeed amused. Then a moment afterward notice Harry Carney seated next to him, take out a small camera and take a photo.

[@markbrownfield437]

I watched this many times and had never noticed Mr Carney taking the picture before! Thanks for pointing it out and noting the names of these talented musicians.

[@Chanterelle137]

I love that "Satin Doll" interlude, and the bandmembers' reactions!

[@palm2823]

Thanks for that bit of interesting info

[@bhodges00]

Can’t go wrong with Duke and Ella.

[@ScrillyStories]

Fax

[@jackweslycamacho8982]

Call it Duke Ellangton

[@beamer9872]

@@jackweslycamacho8982 only replying to remind you that you made this joke🫗

[@jackweslycamacho8982]

@@beamer9872 I'm not proud

[@BorisLev]

lol

[@PerogiXW]

One of the most impressive things about her voice is how she's able to maintain clear notes even when yelling at the top of her lungs and can also sing softly. A true talent, Perhaps the greatest singer of all time

[@ethanmendick6571]

She was and still is one of the greatest jazz singers that has ever lived. RIP Ella Fitzgerald and also RIP Duke Ellington

[@corsairdipthong3874]

The grestest

[@shanjayaweera3036]

With him being such an amazing composer and bandleader people forget what an absolute beast he was on the piano.

[@markberryhill2715]

Just what I was thinking.

[@arendstunes1891]

loved "Satin Doll" @ 1'11"

[@Tasmanaut]

i don't really like jazz or listen to it often, to me that piano seemed out of time constantly and botched, like something I would play as a non piano player and attempting to play freestyle jazz. Obviously I'm not extremely knowledgeable regarding jazz piano, but as a piece of music to listen to, it sucked.

[@zachrobinson8357]

@@Tasmanaut oh, you poor innocent thing. It’s really weird and rare to have Jazz be on beat (at least this kind). You take one look at the sheet music and tell me if any of it makes sense to you. That’s one of the things that a lot of really vivid Jazz fans like about it. Well, that and the amazing history of the genre. And the catchiness of it. And how fun it is to play (if you’re either a masochist or built different)

[@didntknowyoucouldchangethi]

⁠​⁠@@Tasmanaut the fact that it was out of time, as you said gives it that swing lol

[@Sam-ef3bj]

“Ella Fitzgerald is the only performer with whom I’ve ever worked who made me nervous. Because I try to work up to what she does. You know, try to pull myself up to that height, because I believe she is the greatest popular singer in the world, barring none-male or female.” -Frank Sinatra

[@mperez9745]

No electronics, no autotune....just pure talent.

[@islysantana1839]

Right!

[@terencedove5047]

True...but with today's technology, if her voice had been sampled somewhere like instruments are nowadays, I wouldn't have been surprised. Thankfully, there are some sounds and voices that are so respected that people wouldn't dare try to sample them. At least I pray that's still the case in this instance...

[@WYYYE]

@@terencedove5047 bouta put her on a drill beat and give her autotune because you said that

[@terencedove5047]

@@WYYYE ...AAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!

[@dragonslayer6401]

@@WYYYE hell yeah

[@thomasoa]

Ella was great in her studio recordings, but her live recordings are a whole ‘nother level, when she plays with the rhythm and melody, and scats. Nobody like her.

[@libertytree3209]

She always knows EXACTLY where she is and what to do.

[@jazzcornertv]

That is the beauty of JAZZ, they live for the "Live" performance.

[@seguebythesea]

I was at her final Hollywood Bowl concert. Manohman! She fell off the stage at one point and came back quickly to finish the concert. Her command of her voice and the music was awesome as ever.

[@amk2020]

Hhhdjjdj

[@stylecollective-qt9um]

I remember the ad campaign used used to have for Memorex Cassette Tapes in the 70s, where she could hit notes that would shatter glass. The slogan was, "Is is live? Or is it Memorex?" , lol. What a gem that voice was!

[@angelica.rowell]

Did I just burst into tears because of Ella's talent and how much love I have for her? You bet your sweet ass I did.

[@Lunabet]

I always listen to her feel like crying! Authentic happiness!

[@libertytree3209]

You too?

[@angelica.rowell]

@Michael Carlon oh wow, I'll definitely have to check it out given I'm a music teacher! Thanks for the well wishes, Michael! may 2021 treat you kindly!

[@magicallyme96]

Thanks for appreciating this Melanated Queen 👸🏾

[@luisj.grossman7675]

Por favor, Wolfgang Rowell fue mi amigo y colega muy querido. ¿Sos algo de él?@@magicallyme96

[@julietatenreiro]

She's not human, she is something else! Forever Ella.

[@aboushi]

are you being racist rn

[@OutWestRedDirt]

She's a human. Hard working talented lady.

[@LaShoju]

The saxophone players cracking up at Duke struggling through the solo 🤣🤣🤣 Duke & Ella are divine.

[@alexbrumel]

Duke totally eats it and it makes me so happy

[@jovanj2717]

Duke quotes the melody to Satin Doll there. I think he looks up to see if Ella heard it and I think the saxophones heard it and are cheering. Everyone's having fun and I love it

[@sonnyitaliano4158]

Back in the year when America's racism was at its peak. Nothing could stop this talented woman. She is so monumental

[@area52music]

it was and it wasnt. White america was gobbling this stuff up. SOME may have been outwardly racist, but internally I think a lot of them had major respect for black people. From slaves to what we just watched there. You have to respect that in some way.

[@BANANASAUCEYUM]

1965 was the PEAK of american racism? Are you dumb? Go read a history book please

[@LdyVder]

Peak racism wasn't in the 20th Century, but during the 19th Century because that is when Jim/Juan Crow laws started. Every time black people took any step forward, racists would make sure they were put back in their place. Which happened after WWI and again in the 1960s. It's still true in 2024.

[@chrissmith5706]

That was a very fast tempo and Ella sailed through it. She totally saved Duke's ass by taking over when he couldn't cut the solo. This is the best I've seen her and is probably the best scat singing I've ever heard. She could be a trumpet.Phenomenal.

[@jazzedharpist]

1:11 - it's when Duke recalls "Satin Doll" and his fellas in the back are partying :)

[@RileySFPcDestiny]

Lol wondering if anyone else caught that 😂 the saxes definitely did Prob a nod to her since they did that chart together

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

She was the best!!! What a voice.

[@haroldstacey6748]

Simply amazing

[@alex_01]

She IS!

[@rosatassoni4728]

She IS

[@dylanmcdowell3894]

She fits more musical ideas into 4 bars than you find in most chart-toppers these days.

[@laurentc4546]

I love the way Duke tempers his solo using chords (also from "Satin Doll"!) instead of flights of swinging phrases, to let Ella have the honour of her cheerful scat. A Queen's honour!

[@libertytree3209]

70 years and they still have no one to compare.

[@roystankemp1242]

lol, Beyonce?

[@IIMENE]

@@roystankemp1242pls tell me ur kidding

[@roystankemp1242]

@@IIMENE lol, of course I am!

[@IIMENE]

@@roystankemp1242 OOHH I WAS SO WORRIED 😭

[@111mareea]

her precision and technique is just so mind blowing

[@Robot444-yn5wb]

My high school music teacher had us play this song in band class. It was so much fun. I thank him for everything. ❤

[@jacquetaillon4476]

The Queen of Scat! WHOA!! THAT WOMAN CAN SAaaaaaNG!

[@markbrownfield437]

This has to be one of the greatest performances of all time.

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

RIGHT?!?! Like imagine being able to go on the ed sullivan show and see Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald perform live

[@hajnalkajuhasz5833]

That's insane... Immense talent... Ella is just simply the best jazz singer of the 20th century... Noone equals...

[@SpoopyBoy]

Whoever's on the bass is actually a legend

[@robertpastor4061]

Let's see a modern singer hold that line that long

[@Princess-ft9lz]

Let's see anyone that isn't Ella do it lmao

[@uniqueorganicshaircare9880]

I was born in 74... she’s my favorite singer next up Sarah Vaughn

[@lucky4724]

Sassy !!!💯💯💯🌷🌹🌷🌹🔥

[@catsinhouse]

I saw Duke Ellington and his orchestra concert in '74. Never got to see Ella or Sarah perform - but you made two excellent choices!

[@markberryhill2715]

She was still swinging when you were born. I was young then and you couldn't have a variety show without her on it singing a duet with somebody. She could make Kermit the Frog sound good.

[@jeric7740]

You have good taste in music!

[@zeroqp]

Such control, such skill, so effortlessly... what a legend.

[@katznels5]

yooo 1:11 the band freaking out when duke quotes satin doll hahaha

[@FireypepperCP]

Haha, great catch - I think that's Russel Procope cheering him on

[@ecclairmayo4153]

Nice catch!

[@shanjayaweera3036]

Brilliant observation!!

[@juanmonge8]

The recording that blew me away as a young man, was a Newport jazz festival recording from 1957. She sings “Air mail special “, which is an instrumental. She scats through the whole thing. She imitates the instruments in the band. I had the go to the Tower records in Manhattan to find it. It blew my daughter away when I first played it for her.

[@karlhungus5554]

What a supremely gifted lady! A force of nature! In my opinion, the best female jazz vocalist ever!

[@ccbsnyc]

I saw her in one of her last concerts at Radio City. She was still swinging even though she was in a wheelchair. Ella's, Mel Torme and Peggy Lee were the jazz masters who never gave up on singing.

[@clairruckman7674]

TY for sharing that:D Awesome!

[@camilleciampa7410]

Miss Ella, the greatest Jazz singer of all time! ❤

[@magellaniclight9098]

Ella voice is instrument genuine. One of a kind

[@SouledOutEm]

Mean a thing it does not, if that swing it aint got 😌

[@henridelagardere264]

From the verse to the coda he did swing, Master Yoda.

[@Pjaypt]

🤣👍

[@hii1317]

Best comment

[@loveinthematrix]

She’s a G, a boss, an innovator, an icon, a ray of divine sunshine honey

[@rivaridge7211]

Ella was nearly 48 here - she kept her incredible voice right up until about the age of 70. (Even after 70 she still sounded pretty good!)

[@phoebepulsifer174]

I love her she's the best scat singer ever

[@googleuser7454]

Her and Al Jarreau scat like it's a new language. Others don't come close

[@c0sm1c_s4turn]

This is a bop as hell🗿

[@evkurywczak6201]

cant.... stop..... WATCHINGGGG...... i've been watching on repeat for HOURS. HELP

[@RockstarLove]

Me too how do I keep rewatching this 😩😒💜

[@evkurywczak6201]

@@RockstarLove IM BACK GODDAMNIT ITS ADDICTIVE

[@Aesopartemis]

No Autotune. Just real instrument and her awesome raw voice.

[@dianadivine4389]

Wow!! She’s an angel!! Such a soothing voice!

[@alexoliver4222]

Hello 👋 Dina How are you doing today?

[@josephharden5592]

Effing AMAZING !!!! The loose improvisational jazz on a song that became a STANDARD...Ella points the way towards hip-hop freestyle techniques while simultaneously being pitch-perfect vocally and pushing THE DUKE (ON 🎹 🎹) to match her furious innovation and split of a split second timing. This is MAGIC!

[@George-zo8zy]

I love the singing and ellas talent but we need to appreciate the drums some more for keeping the tempo that fast

[@arch0049]

Two most underappreciated musicians in American history. If the Duke isn't in your top 5 you don't know music or history.

[@RC-NY]

Ella's voice light as air - it flew over the lyrics of whatever she sang.

[@garymeise673]

This is insane: it is talent at the highest level of the 20th century. The Duke and Ella OMG

[@yettaplotz2155]

We we truly blessed to have this old variety show clips

[@calbudd2838]

Two incredible legends, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington on one stage.❤

[@SandyFeder]

Remember when music was ... MUSIC? Ella and Duke could burn down the howwwwwse in 2-1/2 minutes!

[@chipnorthup5354]

I have had this reoccurring dream my whole life. I'm in heaven and Ella has the mansion right next to mine. Every night I fall asleep and wake up to her singing in the evening and morning -- and each night and morning I smile. I know it's only a dream, but I like it. If it came true I would think to myself, "What a wonderful world" (heaven). ❤

[@mperez9745]

What you're hearing is the ONLY sonically accurate voices ever. That is vocal perfection.

[@nailakhan8652]

Excuse me Ms. Fitzgerald, you dropped this 👑 .

[@franksliwa362]

Ella is the most fabulous vocalist ever!! The Duke is awesome!!

[@basswars7060]

Millions of Americans gathered around their televisions and watched this. It was prime time entertainment. How far we've fallen.

[@rutgervangestel]

yes!!! i agree!!!

[@mikegalvin9801]

The great thing about the Ed Sullivan show was he had all sorts of performers on. Sunday night I think this came on right after The Wonderful World of Disney

[@anyaw340]

Every generation says the same thing. What you consider "fallen", modern generations just consider advancement. Would people who weren't born during that time want to go back to what you're describing? Nope. Additionally, older generations than yourself would see this as society as having "fallen, as well. People born in the late 1800s/early 1900s looked down on this form of entertainment.

[@maximilianraphael9853]

I discovered this beautiful soul when I was 17 I started venturing into jazz and she's the one that drew me to love jazz. An incredible voice.

[@torrellis8213]

I enjoy the fact that I’m playing 4 of Ella’s songs for jazz band and 5 of dukes, including this one and Blue skies and others

[@LeilaniMendoza-xm5cg]

I saw this in Music class and now I’m obsessed

[@TheSecurityCamChannel]

Both immortalized in the song SIR DUKE.

[@arresteddevelopment2158]

I went to the Smithsonian many years ago and saw her memorabilia on display. Awesome voice. I would love to visit and see what the African American Museum in DC has got on her.

[@ryannicholas554]

I love this song. I dont think I've ever heard it at this pace but to be able to sing it at this pace is incredible.

[@williamgregory1848]

Rest In Peace Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald 🙏🏾

[@L1nk2002]

There's nothing you can do. Jazz music is just something else. And Ella...damn she's amazing.

[@kerrylass2]

My God that woman is amazing!

[@melv5566]

The undisputed queen of jazz. On of the hardest and most complicated genres I personally believe to exist.

[@user-yl7ux5in1d]

Ellington’s piano playing is amazing as well as Ella’s scatting and power of her voice

[@tatyana6063]

This is such a great song by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington!

[@michaelg1040]

Absolutely stunning performance❤

[@user-im1ee3qp8k]

I love how she is saying random things but still is singing so well

[@peterchoe]

Ella had the wonderful capacity of maintaining a smoothness to her vocal on every syllable. If you listen to a lot of pop singers there are moments when the rasp of the throat catches your ear. Never heard that on a single Ella record besides on scat. She also has perfect sense of time. I never liked her scatting, but to hear her do it here at this pace is incredible.

[@curtismichael4703]

ELLA is on 🔥🔥🔥

[@mperez9745]

Wow. Like this is my great grandparents music, but now its mine. Her voice is shockingly great! That's it people, that is a once in a ALL time voice.

[@juanmonge8]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever!

[@shannonk.6528]

Ella is the GOAT as far as female singers go..she and Aretha.

[@alexoliver4222]

Hello 👋 Shannon How are you doing today?

[@Jameslopez5682]

Hello Shannon how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

[@WPM_in_ATL]

Love those Marconi "Mark IV" B/W cameras. Razor sharp.

[@emilionetopereira47]

Thank you for sharing Ella and Duke together... 😉

[@sabrinaphillips916]

When I was born, every adult in my life was like this. Glorious.

[@LibraClassic]

omg...the way he snuck "Satin Doll" into his solo, the way she effortlessly jumps octaves - I can't even deal with all the mastery 😲

[@Airestotle09]

Ella was in another stratosphere my goodness

[@theyadoreher16]

HELLOOOOO? THE BASS? EVERYONES HYPING UP ELLA (as they should) BUT THE WALKING BASS LINE IS AMAZING!!

[@enyahreed03]

This gave me chills, the world May never see another.

[@claudiascott6484]

Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Bassey among my very favorite entertainers.

[@groovedaddy3364]

I remember seeing this performance on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was just a young pup. Waaaay back in the "dark ages," lol

[@roumelleaton1368]

Ella was a phenomenon.. Simply amazing! ❤

[@josephharden5592]

She is the mother of FLOW ❤❤❤

[@profpat70]

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing her live in Rochester, NY (196?)

[@alexoliver4222]

Hello 👋 pat How are you doing today?

[@alessiolecci1215]

The queen of scatting…… definitely the best singer of the twenty century

[@generalpython1395]

King of ragtime + queen of jazz = perfection

[@NilasJunkyard]

With her voice every word is chills material.

[@jeanettesteed3326]

My dear lord, will there ever be another Ella. - NO!!

[@kevp9601]

Happy "HEAVENLY" Birthday In "HEAVEN", Miss Ella Fitzgerald. We'll See You In "MUSIC HEAVEN". WE LOVE YOU. 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶💖💖💖💖😃😃😃😃👍👍👍👍⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@jayesen7]

I got chills watching this. I’m so glad my aunt introduced them to me when I younger.

[@Playbyplaymedia]

When it comes to singing, what couldn't Ella Fitzgerald do?

[@lunaperez1747]

Black history is beautiful and jazzy❤️ Im a mixed race so i support both black and white races but mostly out of history, black people are very jazzy and got that swing💃

[@Chanterelle137]

Ella's artistry will never be matched.

[@alexoliver4222]

Hello 👋 la Liz How are you doing today?