In
her heart there was a desire to sing and she did. It wasn't until she
won a contest at the Apollo Theater that life began to change for the
young girl known as Ella Fitzgerald. Eventually this compelling interpreter
of song, gifted with voice of splendid glory, captured the world with
her incisive style.
In Black Ensemble Theater's portrait cantata revue currently featured
at 4520 N. Beacon St. three actors brought to the stage a retrospective
concept of the artistic realm of the inner being of Ella Fitzgerald
in "Ella: The First Lady of Song (The. Ella Fitzgerald Story)"
featuring Evelyn Banner as Ella #1, Ava Logan as Ella #2 and Marylin
Grimes as EHa #3.
Written, produced and directed by Jackie Taylor, the revue, a musical
genre which Taylor has created to preserve the legacy of African American
entertainers, penetrates into the depth of Ella, beyond song and rhythm.
It became apparent that the amazing singer of the 20th century was only
happy when pouring out her heart to others in song. Only in melody was
she able to drown the anguish that permeated her being.
Miss Taylor was able in poetry and melody bring a concentrated perception
of the singer's life of which a few people were aware. There was ever
present that constant longing for human love, but Ella herself, the
play reveals, was fearful of reaching out beyond music to unselfishly
clasp the joy of a meaning relationship. The closest she came to that
experience was when Chick Webb lived.
One must compliment Miss Taylor for her selection of singing-actresses
whose voices were similar to each other so that the continuity of vocal
textures in the three singers would represent different periods in the
life of the singer.
In the early life of Ella, it was Evelyn Danner, whose eager enthusiasm
brought her recognition in the songs,"/ Want Tb Be Happy,"
"Undecided," "Hoochie Coochie"and
the smashing hit "A Tisket a Tasket" that skyrocketed her
to international acclaim. In that first section a tribute tune "If
It Weren't For You" introduced the second period of her life.
Ava Logan interpreted the second period as Ella #2. In this
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period
she was forever singing, touring with the Chick Webb band
until it split.
She was interpreting such tunes as "Lady Be Good," "Why
Was I Born", "How High The Moon" and "Some Day
He'll Come Along." As she sang these tunes a man did come along
in her husband Ray Brown, but that didn't last. Vocalist Logan's melancholy
voice expressed the longing hope
of Ella.
Time took its toll on the famous singer as she entered the highest
echelon of the entertainment world as a superstar of jazz. During
this period she was within the circle of the greatest Duke Ellington,
Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and even the greatest orchestras
of the world and her presence was graced in the best venues of the
world.
Marilyn Grimes, Ella #3 brought her character to its highest pinnacle
of success that was tremendously expressed with a magnificent concept
in "Something's Got to Give," "Mack The Knife",
Someone to Watch Over Me", "Blue Skies", "My Funny
Valentine," "Can't Take That Away," "A Song in
My Heart" "Our Love is Here To Stay."
Through Grimes, with her impeccable musicianship and superb acting
personified the singer spiritually and artistically until her voice
was silenced in permanent sleep.
What was especially great about the portrait cantata revue was the
three singers did not try to imitate Ella, but just in effortless
actions, fused them into song.
By Earl
Galloway
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