Exquisitely for Ella: A Songbook Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

CHICAGO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Exquisitely for Ella: A Songbook Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

 

by David White and Linda Shuman

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra took on a big challenge – honoring the work of the late, great Ella Fitzgerald and they met it with imagination, class, great music and sass. The result was an almost perfect afternoon hearing some of jazz's' great songs interpreted by three of today's most gifted jazz singers – Spider Saloff, Dee Alexander and Frieda Lee.

This was a big band event – nearly 40 performers, including 15 strings – violins, violas, cello and bass – giving a richness not often heard with big bands. The songs, familiar classics, were from Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Mercer, Arlen and Strayhorn. A number of the arrangements were by Nelson Riddle.

The first singer was Spider Saloff who initially may have impressed listeners as being more Broadway in manners, looks and sound (not enough smoking and drinking in her life?). But as the program progressed and singers rotated among the 26 classic songs, Ms. Saloff showed a range and interpretation that honored these great songs.

Next was Frieda Les, the most mature of the trio and brought her music education and knowledge of the subjects in her vocal interpretations. Frieda sings with soul of the legend and has the experience to honor the jazz genre. Frieda is a treasure and her performance and presence gives a feel for what it must have been like to hear jazz in the 1930s and 40s.

The third singer was Dee Alexander and if jazz enthusiasts are wondering where the next generation of talented singers are, they can be assured that jazz vocals have an extraordinary young champion in Ms Alexander. She posses a spectacular range, a beautiful voice, and an animated presentation that gives insight into the composers' and arrangers' music. Dee easily could have been on stage with Basie, Ellington or any of the jazz greats.

After the intermission, The Steve Jensen Jazz Unity Award was presented to an individual who successfully bridged a career singing with the greats to founding the organization, Jazz Unites. Geraldine de Haas and Jazz Unites has created a foundation that has preserved and promoted jazz in Chicago.

Thorne Auditorium at the Northwestern University Law School is an interesting venue for music. This CJO is a big band, maybe a bit too much for the room – a small auditorium, actually. It's certainly not an intimate setting like a jazz club (and lacking the sound of drinks being served) but the room gives audience members a good look at the performers with the distractions found in clubs.

Finally, if you are not familiar with big band jazz, then you owe yourself the experience and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra is a fine introduction. If you're a jazz enthusiast, the CJO will give plenty to be enthusiastic about. It is a must-hear in Chicago.

 

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