Last year 2017 was the centenary of the birth of Ella Fitzgerald, probably the greatest female jazz singer of all time.

To celebrate, the big band in which I play tenor saxophone, put together a tribute project with our singer Ida and played ten concerts to capacity audiences. We used both original Ella Fitzgerald arrangements written by Nelson Riddle, and also arrangements written in 1940's style by members of our band.

In addition to Ida, and the nineteen-piece big band (five trumpets, four trombones, tuba, five saxes, four rhythm) we had a string section of 24 players, final year conservatory students.

We made a “project sampler CD” which is on sale at our concerts, although it was primarily intended for promotion and PR purposes, and was sent to local promoters and radio stations within the EBU.

The CD was made entirely “in house”. Amongst our playerss we are fortunate to have people with skills in production, arranging, recording, editing, mixing, mastering, CD reprocation, photography, graphic design, copyrwriting (liner notes) translation, copyright (legal) and sleeve printing, so no external help was needed. We are pleased with the result.

Of the CDs intended for UK broadcasters, a few remain unallocated, so if anyone in this group would like a complimentary CD (including postage) please send name and address, with the message “Ella CD, please” to our band secretary at: .

Iain