Dear Ella (1997)

About this title: Bridgewater's heartfelt tribute to Ella Fitzgerald is a resounding testament not only to the legendary jazz vocal icon, but also to Bridgewater's own faithful singing style, rich in Ella's tonal quality particularly on the high end. Her inflections are also quite natural, rather than self-effacing or forced. Some of the tracks vary in group size, as duo (with Kenny Burrell), trio (with Lou Levy leading on piano), or combo (with Milt Jackson, Antonio Hart, Grady Tate, Slide Hampton, and brother Cecil Bridgewater). Nine of the total 13 cuts have big-band backing, or orchestral settings arranged ... read more

Tracks:

1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket [Alexander/Fitzgeral]
2. Mack the Knife [Blitzstein/Brecht]
3. Undecided [Robin/Shavers]
4. Midnight Sun [Mercer/Burke/Hampto]
5. Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) [Porter]
6. How High the Moon [Hamilton/Lewis]
7. You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini) [Coslow]
8. Cotton Tail [Ellington]
9. My Heart Belongs to Daddy [Porter]
10. (I'd Like to Get You on A) Slow Boat to China [Loesser]
11. Oh, Lady Be Good [Gershwin/Gershwin]
12. Stairway to the Stars [Parish/Malneck/Sign]
13. Dear Ella [Burrell]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.