The Early Years, Part 1

~ Release by Ella Fitzgerald (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

Notes

A late interesting attempt by the Verve Music Group at collecting early Fitzgerald material, including a few unreleased takes.
Completists and serious fans will still (also) need The Chronological issues (as this boxset misses a bunch of cuts).
A very nice dig for Fitzgerald amateurs wishing to discover her earliest period with Chick Webb, and vastly preferable to the bunch of under-documented budget messed-up compilations floating around.

Annotation last modified on 2024-04-22 04:10 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1I’ll Chase the Blues Away
alto saxophone:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1935-06-12) and Edgar Sampson (on 1935-06-12)
double bass:
John Kirby (jazz bass/trombone/tuba player) (on 1935-06-12)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1935-06-12)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1935-06-12)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1935-06-12)
tenor saxophone:
Elmer Williams (on 1935-06-12)
trombone:
Claude Jones (on 1935-06-12) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1935-06-12)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1935-06-12), Taft Jordan (on 1935-06-12) and Bobby Stark (on 1935-06-12)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1935-06-12)
conductor:
Chick Webb (on 1935-06-12)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 39614-A)
recording of:
I’ll Chase the Blues Away (on 1935-06-12)
composer:
Kenneth Harrison (Obscure early 20th century lyricist and/or jazz composer) and Edgar Sampson
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:33
2Love and Kisses
alto saxophone:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1935-06-12) and Edgar Sampson (on 1935-06-12)
double bass:
John Kirby (jazz bass/trombone/tuba player) (on 1935-06-12)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1935-06-12)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1935-06-12)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1935-06-12)
tenor saxophone:
Elmer Williams (on 1935-06-12)
trombone:
Claude Jones (on 1935-06-12) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1935-06-12)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1935-06-12), Taft Jordan (on 1935-06-12) and Bobby Stark (on 1935-06-12)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1935-06-12)
conductor:
Chick Webb (on 1935-06-12)
later releases:
Love and Kisses by Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 39617-A)
recording of:
Love and Kisses (on 1935-06-12)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Curtis ("love and kisses")
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:18
3Rhythm and Romance
alto saxophone:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1935-10-12) and Edgar Sampson (on 1935-10-12)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1935-10-12)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1935-10-12)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1935-10-12)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1935-10-12)
tenor saxophone:
Elmer Williams (on 1935-10-12)
trombone:
Claude Jones (on 1935-10-12) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1935-10-12)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1935-10-12), Taft Jordan (on 1935-10-12) and Bobby Stark (on 1935-10-12)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1935-10-12)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1935-10-12)
conductor:
Chick Webb (on 1935-10-12)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 60054-A)
recording of:
Rhythm and Romance (on 1935-10-12)
lyricist:
Nat Schwartz (Early 20th century composer?)
writer:
George Whiting (American composer)
composer:
J.C. Johnson
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:06
4Under the Spell of the Blues
alto saxophone:
Edgar Sampson (on 1936-04-07)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1936-04-07)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-04-07)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-04-07)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1936-04-07)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-04-07)
tenor saxophone:
Elmer Williams (on 1936-04-07)
trombone:
Claude Jones (on 1936-04-07) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-04-07)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-04-07), Taft Jordan (on 1936-04-07) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-04-07)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-04-07)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-04-07)
recording of:
Under the Spell of the Blues (on 1936-04-07)
writer:
Jerry Livingston (songwriter) and Edgar Sampson
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:00
5When I Get Low I Get High
alto saxophone:
Edgar Sampson (on 1936-04-07)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1936-04-07)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-04-07)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-04-07)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1936-04-07)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-04-07)
tenor saxophone:
Elmer Williams (on 1936-04-07)
trombone:
Claude Jones (on 1936-04-07) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-04-07)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-04-07), Taft Jordan (on 1936-04-07) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-04-07)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-04-07)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-04-07)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61002-A)
recording of:
When I Get Low I Get High (on 1936-04-07)
lyricist and composer:
Marion Sunshine
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:26
6Sing Me a Swing Song (and Let Me Dance)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1936-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Edgar Sampson (on 1936-06-02)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1936-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-06-02)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-06-02)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1936-06-02)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-06-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1936-06-02)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1936-06-02) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-06-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-06-02), Taft Jordan (on 1936-06-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-06-02)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-06-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1936-06-02)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61124-A)
cover recording of:
Sing Me a Swing Song (and Let Me Dance) (on 1936-06-02)
lyricist:
Stanley Adams (US lyricist & songwriter)
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:37
7A Little Bit Later On
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1936-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Edgar Sampson (on 1936-06-02)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1936-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-06-02)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-06-02)
piano:
Joe Steele (on 1936-06-02)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-06-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1936-06-02)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1936-06-02) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-06-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-06-02), Taft Jordan (on 1936-06-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-06-02)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-06-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1936-06-02)
cover recording of:
A Little Bit Later On (on 1936-06-02)
writer:
Jerry Livingston (songwriter) and Al J. Neiburg (lyricist)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:04
8Love, You’re Just a Laugh
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1936-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Edgar Sampson (on 1936-06-02)
double bass:
Bill Thomas (bass, jazz) (on 1936-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-06-02)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-06-02)
piano:
Don Kirkpatrick (jazz pianist) (on 1936-06-02)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-06-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1936-06-02)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1936-06-02) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-06-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-06-02), Taft Jordan (on 1936-06-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-06-02)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-06-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-06-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1936-06-02)
recording of:
Love You’re Just a Laugh (on 1936-06-02)
writer:
Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and Nat Gardner
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:10
9You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1936-10-29)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1936-10-29)
baritone saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-10-29)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1936-10-29)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-10-29)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-10-29)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-10-29)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-10-29)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-10-29)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1936-10-29) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-10-29)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-10-29), Taft Jordan (on 1936-10-29) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-10-29)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-10-29)
cover recording of:
You'll Have to Swing It (Mr Paganini) (on 1936-10-29)
writer:
Sam Coslow
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:55
10Vote for Mr. Rhythm
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1936-10-29)
baritone saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1936-10-29)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1936-10-29)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-10-29)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-10-29)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-10-29)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-10-29)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-10-29)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1936-10-29) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-10-29)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1936-10-29), Taft Jordan (on 1936-10-29) and Bobby Stark (on 1936-10-29)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-10-29)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61364-A)
recording of:
Vote for Mister Rhythm (on 1936-10-29)
lyricist:
Leo Robin (US composer, lyricist & songwriter)
composer:
Ralph Rainger and Arthur Siegel (American songwriter)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:27
11My Last Affair
clarinet:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-11-18)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1936-11-18)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-11-18)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-11-18)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-11-18)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-11-18)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-11-18)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1936-11-18)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-11-18)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61419-A)
recording of:
My Last Affair (on 1936-11-18)
lyricist and composer:
Haven A. Johnson
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:45
12Organ Grinder’s Swing
clarinet and reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-11-18)
double bass [bass]:
Beverly Peer (in 1936)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-11-18)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-11-18)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-11-18)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-11-18)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (in 1936)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1936-11-18)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-11-18)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61420-A)
recording of:
Organ Grinder’s Swing (on 1936-11-18)
lyricist:
Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish
composer:
Will Hudson
publisher:
EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated)
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:51
13Shine
clarinet:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-11-19)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1936-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-11-19)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-11-19)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-11-19)
reeds:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-11-19)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-11-19)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1936-11-19)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-11-19)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61421-A)
recording of:
Shine (on 1936-11-19)
lyricist:
Lew Brown (in 1910) and Cecil Mack (in 1910)
composer:
Ford Dabney (in 1910)
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:51
14Darktown Strutters’ Ball
clarinet:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1936-11-19)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1936-11-19)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1936-11-19)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1936-11-19)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1936-11-19)
reeds:
Teddy McRae (on 1936-11-19)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1936-11-19)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1936-11-19)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1936-11-19)
part of:
Decca (by matrix number) (number: 61422-B)
recording of:
Darktown Strutters’ Ball (on 1936-11-19)
lyricist and composer:
Shelton Brooks (in 1917)
publisher:
J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd. and Leo Feist, Inc.
part of:
For Me and My Gal (1942 movie)
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight3:04
15Take Another Guess
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-01-14)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-01-14)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-01-14)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1937-01-14)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-01-14)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-01-14)
recording of:
Oh Yes, Take Another Guess (on 1937-01-14)
lyricist:
Charles Newman (Charles Chas Newman, early 20th century songwriter)
writer:
Murray Mencher and Al Sherman (Tin Pan Alley songwriter)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:43
16You Showed Me the Way
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-24)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-03-24)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-03-24)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-03-24)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1937-03-24)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-03-24)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1937-03-24)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-03-24)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-03-24) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-03-24)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-03-24), Taft Jordan (on 1937-03-24) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-03-24)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-03-24)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-03-24)
recording of:
You Showed Me the Way (on 1937-03-24)
writer:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer), Bud Green, Teddy McRae and Chick Webb
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:19
17Cryin’ Mood
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-24)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-03-24)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-03-24)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-03-24)
guitar:
John Trueheart (on 1937-03-24)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-03-24)
reeds:
Pete Clark (Jazz altoist born around 1910) (on 1937-03-24)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-03-24)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-03-24) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-03-24)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-03-24), Taft Jordan (on 1937-03-24) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-03-24)
woodwind:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-03-24)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-03-24)
recording of:
Cryin’ Mood (on 1937-03-24)
writer:
Andy Razaf and Chick Webb
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:38
18If You Ever Should Leave
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-05-24)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-05-24)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-05-24)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (US guitarist) (on 1937-05-24)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-05-24)
reeds and tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-05-24)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-05-24)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1937-05-24)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-05-24)
recording of:
If You Should Ever Leave Me (on 1937-05-24)
lyricist:
Sammy Cahn
composer:
Saul Chaplin
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight3:06
19Everyone’s Wrong but Me
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-05-24)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-05-24)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-05-24)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (US guitarist) (on 1937-05-24)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-05-24)
reeds and tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-05-24)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-05-24)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1937-05-24)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-05-24)
recording of:
Everyone’s Wrong but Me (on 1937-05-24)
writer:
Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight3:04
20Just a Simple Melody
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-10-27)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-10-27)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-10-27)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-10-27)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (US guitarist) (on 1937-10-27)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-10-27)
reeds:
Chauncey Haughton (on 1937-10-27)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-10-27) and Teddy McRae (on 1937-10-27)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-10-27) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-10-27)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-10-27), Taft Jordan (on 1937-10-27) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-10-27)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-10-27)
recording of:
Just a Simple Melody (on 1937-10-27)
writer:
Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:58
21I Got a Guy
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-10-27)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (US jazz, blues and r&b musician and songwriter) (on 1937-10-27)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-10-27)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-10-27)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (US guitarist) (on 1937-10-27)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-10-27)
reeds:
Chauncey Haughton (on 1937-10-27)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-10-27) and Teddy McRae (on 1937-10-27)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-10-27) and Sandy Williams (American jazz trombonist) (on 1937-10-27)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-10-27), Taft Jordan (on 1937-10-27) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-10-27)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1937-10-27)
recording of:
I Got a Guy (on 1937-10-27)
lyricist and composer:
Marion Sunshine
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:19
2▶CD

Credits

Release

art direction:Scott Johnson (art director)
liner notes:Will Friedwald (Author, Music Critic)
miscellaneous support:Erick Labson (task: Audio restoration and reprocessing)
executive producer:Dave Grusin (American pianist and score composer)
Larry Rosen
producer:Orrin Keepnews (task: Reissue producer)
transferrer:Steven Lasker
ASIN:US: B0000001NR [info]