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.

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistLength
1Rock It for Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-11-01)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-11-01)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-11-01)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-11-01)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-11-01)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-11-01)
reeds:
Chauncey Haughton (on 1937-11-01)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-11-01) and Teddy McRae (on 1937-11-01)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-11-01) and Sandy Williams (on 1937-11-01)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-11-01), Taft Jordan (on 1937-11-01) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-11-01)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-11-01)
recording of:
Rock It for Me (on 1937-11-01)
writer:
Kay Werner (in 1938) and Sue Werner (in 1938)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:10
2I Want to Be Happy
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-17)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-17)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-17)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-17)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-17)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-17)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1937-12-17)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-17)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-12-17) and Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-17)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-12-17), Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-17) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-12-17)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-17)
cover recording of:
I Want to Be Happy (No, No, Nanette) (on 1937-12-17)
lyricist:
Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach
composer:
Vincent Youmans
part of:
No, No, Nanette
Chick Webb and His Orchestra4:32
3The Dipsy Doodle
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-17)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-17)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-17)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-17)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-17)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-17)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1937-12-17)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1937-12-17) and Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-17)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-12-17) and Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-17)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-12-17), Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-17, on 1937-12-21) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-12-17)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-17)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra
recording of:
Dipsy Doodle (on 1937-12-17)
lyricist and composer:
Larry Clinton (in 1937)
cover recording of:
Dipsy Doodle (on 1937-12-17)
lyricist and composer:
Larry Clinton (in 1937)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:11
4If Dreams Come True
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-17)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-17)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-17)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-17)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-17)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-17)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1937-12-17)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-17)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-12-17) and Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-17)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-12-17), Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-17) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-12-17)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-17)
cover recording of:
If Dreams Come True (on 1937-12-17)
lyricist:
Irving Mills
composer:
Edgar M. Sampson and Benny Goodman
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:36
5Hallelujah
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-17)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-17)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-17)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-17)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-17)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-17)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1937-12-17)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-17)
trombone:
Nat Story (on 1937-12-17) and Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-17)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1937-12-17), Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-17) and Bobby Stark (on 1937-12-17)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-17)
recording of:
Hallelujah! (on 1937-12-17)
lyricist:
Clifford Grey (in 1927) and Leo Robin (in 1927)
composer:
Vincent Youmans (in 1927)
part of:
Hit the Deck (1955 movie)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra4:06
6Bei mir bist Du schön
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-21)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-21)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-21)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-21)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-21)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-21)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-21)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-21)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-21)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-21)
recording of:
Bei mir bist du schön (English version) (on 1937-12-21)
lyricist:
Sammy Cahn
additional composer:
Saul Chaplin
composer:
Sholom Secunda
translated version of:
בײַ מיר ביסטו שיין (Bay mir bistu sheyn)
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight3:03
7It’s My Turn Now
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-12-21)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1937-12-21)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1937-12-21)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1937-12-21)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1937-12-21)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1937-12-21)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1937-12-21)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1937-12-21)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1937-12-21)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1937-12-21)
recording of:
It’s My Turn Now (on 1937-12-21)
writer:
Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:56
8It’s Wonderful
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-01-25)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-01-25)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-01-25)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-01-25)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-01-25)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-01-25)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-01-25)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1938-01-25)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-01-25)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-01-25)
recording of:
It’s Wonderful (on 1938-01-25)
lyricist:
Mitchell Parish (in 1937)
composer:
Stuff Smith (in 1937)
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:56
9I Was Doing All Right
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-01-25)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-01-25)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-01-25)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-01-25)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-01-25)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-01-25)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-01-25)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1938-01-25)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-01-25)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-01-25)
recording of:
I Was Doing All Right (on 1938-01-25)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1937)
composer:
George Gershwin (in 1937)
publisher:
Gershwin Publishing Corp (in 1938)
part of:
The Goldwyn Follies
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:55
10A‐Tisket, A‐Tasket
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-05-02)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-05-02)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-05-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-05-02)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-05-02)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-05-02)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-05-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-05-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-05-02)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-05-02), Nat Story (on 1938-05-02) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-05-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-05-02), Taft Jordan (on 1938-05-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-05-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-05-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1938-05-02)
part of:
Grammy Hall of Fame (number: 1986)
recording of:
A‐Tisket, A‐Tasket (on 1938-05-02)
lyricist:
[traditional], Ella Fitzgerald and Van Alexander
composer:
[traditional]
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 13188)
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:40
11Heart of Mine
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-05-02)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-05-02)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-05-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-05-02)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-05-02)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-05-02)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-05-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-05-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-05-02)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-05-02), Nat Story (on 1938-05-02) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-05-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-05-02), Taft Jordan (on 1938-05-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-05-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-05-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1938-05-02)
part of:
Grammy Hall of Fame (number: 1986)
recording of:
Heart of Mine (on 1938-05-02)
writer:
Edward Heyman and Chick Webb
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:55
12I’m Just a Jitterbug
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-05-02)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-05-02)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-05-02)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-05-02)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-05-02)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-05-02)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-05-02)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-05-02) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-05-02)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-05-02), Nat Story (on 1938-05-02) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-05-02)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-05-02), Taft Jordan (on 1938-05-02) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-05-02)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-05-02)
orchestra:
Chick Webb and His Orchestra (on 1938-05-02)
part of:
Grammy Hall of Fame (number: 1986)
recording of:
I’m Just a Jitterbug (on 1938-05-02)
lyricist and composer:
Fud Livingston
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:16
13You Can’t Be Mine (and Someone Else’s Too)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-05-03)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-05-03)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-05-03)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-05-03)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-05-03)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-05-03)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-05-03)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1938-05-03)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-05-03)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-05-03)
recording of:
You Can’t Be Mine (and Somebody Else’s Too) (on 1938-05-03)
writer:
J.C. Johnson and Chick Webb
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:59
14If You Only Knew
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-05-03)
alto saxophone:
Louis Jordan (on 1938-05-03)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-05-03)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-05-03)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-05-03)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-05-03)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-05-03)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1938-05-03)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-05-03)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-05-03)
recording of:
If You Only Knew (on 1938-05-03)
writer:
Charles Beal and Chick Webb
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:46
15Pack Up Your Sins and Go to the Devil
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-06-09)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-06-09)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-06-09)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-06-09)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-06-09)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-06-09)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-06-09)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-06-09)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-06-09), Nat Story (on 1938-06-09) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-06-09)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-06-09), Taft Jordan (on 1938-06-09) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-06-09)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-06-09)
cover recording of:
Pack Up Your Sins and Go to the Devil (on 1938-06-09)
writer:
Irving Berlin
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:55
16McPherson Is Rehearsin’ (to Swing)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-06-09)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-06-09)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-06-09)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-06-09)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-06-09)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-06-09)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-06-09)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-06-09)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-06-09), Nat Story (on 1938-06-09) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-06-09)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-06-09), Taft Jordan (on 1938-06-09) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-06-09)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-06-09)
recording of:
MacPherson Is Rehearsin’ (to Swing) (on 1938-06-09)
lyricist and composer:
Marion Sunshine
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:07
17Everybody Step
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-06-09)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-06-09)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-06-09)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-06-09)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-06-09)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-06-09)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-06-09)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-06-09)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-06-09), Nat Story (on 1938-06-09) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-06-09)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-06-09), Taft Jordan (on 1938-06-09) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-06-09)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-06-09)
cover recording of:
Everybody Step (on 1938-06-09)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:43
18Wacky Dust
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-08-17)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-08-17)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-08-17)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-08-17)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-08-17)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-08-17)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-08-17)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-08-17)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-08-17), Nat Story (on 1938-08-17) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-08-17)
trumpet:
Mario Bauzá (on 1938-08-17), Taft Jordan (on 1938-08-17) and Bobby Stark (on 1938-08-17)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-08-17)
cover recording of:
Wacky Dust (on 1938-08-17)
lyricist:
Stanley Adams
composer:
Oscar Levant
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog Inc. and Stanley Adams Music
sub-publisher:
フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス
Chick Webb and His Orchestra3:03
19Strictly From Dixie
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-08-18)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-08-18)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-08-18)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-08-18)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-08-18)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-08-18)
tenor saxophone:
Teddy McRae (on 1938-08-18)
trombone:
Sandy Williams (on 1938-08-18)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-08-18)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-08-18)
recording of:
Strictly From Dixie (on 1938-08-18)
writer:
Harry Brooks, James Cavanaugh and Chick Webb
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight2:48
20F.D.R. Jones
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-10-06)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-10-06)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-10-06)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-10-06)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-10-06)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-10-06)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-10-06)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-10-06) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-10-06)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-10-06), Nat Story (on 1938-10-06) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-10-06)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-10-06), Bobby Stark (on 1938-10-06) and Dick Vance (on 1938-10-06)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-10-06)
recording of:
F.D.R. Jones (on 1938-10-06)
lyricist and composer:
Harold Rome
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:53
21It’s Foxy
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-10-06)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-10-06)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-10-06)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-10-06)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-10-06)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-10-06)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-10-06)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-10-06) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-10-06)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-10-06), Nat Story (on 1938-10-06) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-10-06)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-10-06), Bobby Stark (on 1938-10-06) and Dick Vance (on 1938-10-06)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-10-06)
recording of:
It’s Foxy (on 1938-10-06)
writer:
Walter Bishop, Sr. and Chick Webb
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:59
22I Found My Yellow Basket
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1938-10-06)
alto saxophone:
Hilton Jefferson (on 1938-10-06)
double bass:
Beverly Peer (on 1938-10-06)
drums (drum set):
Chick Webb (on 1938-10-06)
guitar:
Bobby Johnson (on 1938-10-06)
piano:
Tommy Fulford (on 1938-10-06)
reeds:
Garvin Bushell (on 1938-10-06)
tenor saxophone:
Wayman Carver (on 1938-10-06) and Teddy McRae (on 1938-10-06)
trombone:
George Matthews (on 1938-10-06), Nat Story (on 1938-10-06) and Sandy Williams (on 1938-10-06)
trumpet:
Taft Jordan (on 1938-10-06), Bobby Stark (on 1938-10-06) and Dick Vance (on 1938-10-06)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (on 1938-10-06)
recording of:
I Found My Yellow Basket (on 1938-10-06)
writer:
Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb
Chick Webb and His Orchestra2:34

Credits

Release

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