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It’s Frank day.

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Nelson Riddle with Ella Fitzgerald, just one of Riddle’s legendary collaborators. The arranger, composer, bandleader, orchestrator was #botd in 1921.

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1971 - Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie - Düsseldorf

Ella Fitzgerald + Tommy Flanagan trio

Count Basie Orchestra

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I went to York, PA today JUST to see this hand painted mural of Ella and Frank. I love how they've been immortalized together in a hotel where they both stayed so long ago. Isn't it gorgeous?

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So this is the original photo. I die.

Too bad this album didn't come to be! Can you imagine Ella and Frank singing "Love and Marriage"? My goodness, I die again!

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1969 - Reprise Records - Ella Fitzgerald : Get Ready

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A few notes:

At the very first second, it looks like he was about to grab her ass, realized it, and touched her back instead.

Look at her little flinch when he touches her.

She looked like she transcended somehow, forgetting that they were in front of an audience as she eventually looks at the camera.

But before that, she can’t stop looking at him, like he was shocking her with his behavior.

I love all of this.

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Ella!

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From Sinatra's 1958 article in Ebony titled, "The Way I Look at Race"

"Ten years ago I was featured on the national TV show Hit Parade when Joan Edwards had to leave the show. I suggested Ella Fitzgerald to fill this vacancy and she was approved by the sponsor, a Southern tobacco manufacturer. Ella unfortunately never appeared on the show because her manager demanded a price far beyond the budget which he claimed was to compensate for cancellation of bookings."

I need to do some research before I blow a gasket at Norman Granz, because it's possible Milt Gabler was still her manager in 1948. I doubt it, but he could've been. But just think, Frank and Ella could've had a show together in the FORTIES, and it was squashed. MY GOD!!!!

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So, I'm watching Frank get honored with the Ella award by the Society of Singers in 1990. Ella helped present him the award, and she stood with him as he did his acceptance speech (and before they did their final duet of "The Lady is a Tramp"). Anyway, I noticed that she was touching him while he was speaking, and I'm damn near certain she had her hand on his ass while he was speaking!

If you ever watch this special, it is clear that she has an unusual ease with him that she doesn't have with anyone else. I love it so much.

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Jet Magazine, July 29, 1965.

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Ella!

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Ella Fitzgerald with Vincente Minnelli, Luci Arnaz, and Shirley Bassey at an after party for her concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City, 1979.

Photos by Andy Warhol

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Yes, I did make that chair.