Verve Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of a never-before-heard live concert album from the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, The Moment of Truth: Ella at The Coliseum. Recorded live at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, the album is a stunning showcase of Fitzgerald’s vocal prowess and infectious stage presence. Mixed and mastered from the original analog multitrack tapes, the album offers pristine audio quality, setting a new standard for live recordings of this era. The title track, "The Moment of Truth," is available now, with the full album coming soon on all formats.
Discovered in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz, this treasure from the First Lady of Song features nine tracks, many of which have never been released before. Accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra at its peak, Fitzgerald delivers a masterclass in live performance, blending playful wit with jaw-dropping vocal power. Her performance here underscores her reputation as one of the most revered live performers of her time, with The New York Times once describing her as “utter perfection, personified.”
The album is a fascinating snapshot of Fitzgerald’s career during the summer of 1967, a period marked by a fruitful collaboration with Duke Ellington and a blend of jazz standards and contemporary pop hits. Among the highlights are the first-ever recordings of “Alfie” and “Music to Watch Girls By,” both of which showcase Fitzgerald’s ability to navigate between jazz, pop, and everything in between with effortless charm and vocal mastery.
Ella is backed by a rare but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Sam Woodyard on drums, while the Ellington Orchestra is in full force, featuring icons such as Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, and Johnny Hodges.
Tracklist:
- The Moment of Truth – 2:52
- Don’t Be That Way – 4:33
- You’ve Changed – 4:37
- Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) – 4:43
- Bye Bye Blackbird – 5:02
- Alfie – 5:43
- In a Mellow Tone – 4:41
- Music to Watch Girls By – 3:56
- Mack the Knife – 4:53
Album Details:
- Recorded live at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA on June 30, 1967
- Ella Fitzgerald – vocals
- Band: Jimmy Jones (piano), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Sam Woodyard (drums)
- Duke Ellington Orchestra: Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Paul Gonsalves, Johnny Hodges, and more
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