Morgan Lewis wrote How High the Moon as a slow ballad. Ella's improvisation mixed typical scat sounds with seemingly arbitrary lyrics from nursery rhymes and popular songs, all while maintaining the vocal range and phrasing that made her famous. tell the story of a love that is beyond reach, like Throughout her career, Ella Fitzgerald was constantly praised for her vocal skills and her clean, crisp sound. How high the moon There is no moon above When love is far away too Till it comes true That you love me as I love you Somewhere there's music It's where you are Somewhere there's heaven How near, how far The darkest night would shine If you would come to me soon Until you will, how still my heart How high the moon 'How high the moon' The first singer who presented this song was Helen Forrest, which instantly brought the piece to success and rise in the charts (Munoz, 2020). The Physical Realm, Art, Music, and Architecture Around the World, UExcel Business Ethics: Study Guide & Test Prep, Principles of Business Ethics: Certificate Program, Introduction to World Religions: Certificate Program, Introduction to World Religions: Help and Review, Introduction to Humanities: Certificate Program, Intro to Humanities Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, Create an account to start this course today. All Rights Reserved Comments Off on Ella Fitzgerald and How high the moon, Tagged as Bebop, Birthdays, Ella Fitzgerald, Jazz, Scat singing. after the death of her bandleader Lest we get too googly-eyed with romance, Fitzgerald then rips through the song she famously made a duet with Frank Sinatra, The Lady Is a Tramp. Sinatra even gets a shout-out in one of her revamped lyrics. | But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Sign up for our enewsletter! How High the Moon by Ella Fitzgerald Written by Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton Language English First recorded on December 20, 1947 Released on How High the Moon Single 1948 Comments Ella Fitzgerald first performed this song on September 29th, 1947 at Carnegie Hall. The volume changes gradually with instruments and with the vocals of the main singer. She first performed the song at Carnegie Hall on September 29, 1947. This forces her into a fit of improvised lyrics, Louis Armstrong imitations and self-parody. Were singing it because you ask for it: Ella Fitzgerald, Scatting, and How High the Moon, Music 345: Race, Identity, and Representation in American Music, http://phw02.newsbank.com/cache/ean/fullsize/pl_004062015_2134_46699_913.pdf. This post is a slam dunk, and not just because the 1960 recording of How High the Moon is my favorite Fitzgerald performance of all time. [7] This version crossed over to the Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records chart, where it peaked at #2. C Jam Blues. This page was last edited on 29 September 2022, at 18:45. After singing, the piece intrudes, and it is similar to the intro, but apart from the lead voice, there are several male voices helping. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Continuing to use IvyPanda you agree to our, "Sugar" and "The Moten Swing" Musical Compositions Analysis, Cosi Fan Tutte Opera and Legally Blond Musical, Analysis on "The Orchard walls" by Ruth Rendell, Adolescent Development Theories: Psychodynamic Perspective, Annie B. Henry and Her Black Doll Collection, Motivation Profiles and Management in Organizations, The Role of African American Women in the Civil Right Movement, Silent Voices of the Modern Civil Rights Movement, Black Boy By Richard Wright [Text Analysis], Popular Music: Curtis Mayfield's and Bob Marley's Songs, "Gloria" by Vivaldi and "O Magnum Mysterium" by Tomas Luis De Victoria, "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" Song by Whitney Houston, "Hound Dog" Song by Big Mama Thornton and Elvis Presley. for the refrain that is modestly clever and sweet We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It was just one of several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which include the related One for the Money and Three to Get Ready. [5], A recording of the song by Les Paul and Mary Ford was made on January 4, 1951. Ella did not sing topical music. somewhere there's music how faint the tune somewhere there's heaven how high the moon there is no moon above when love is far away too till it comes true that you love me as i love you somewhere there's music it's where you are somewhere there's heaven how near, how far the darkest night would shine if you would come to me soon until you will, In the royal court of jazz, Ella's position is uncontested, and her legacy as a singer has been one of the most influential in American history. When a jazz singer scats, she is improvising, making it up as she goes, but it's not a random action. Join our Patreon to tak, Still a few days until 2023, and so we bring to yo, We've got some big changes coming in 2023! [49] Coleman Hawkins' tune "Bean At Met" is also based on the changes of How High The Moon; this tune starts with simple riffs on the measures 1 to 8 and 17 to 24. Part ofKicking the Canon The Album Canon. High the Moon compares favorably with many of the Peanuts Hucko, and drummer Ray McKinley. No one could ever do it like Ella. The period when this song was recorded was characterized by its unique rhythm and the dynamics variation. Ella Fitzgerald, an American jazz singer of the mid-20th century, ruled under the titles Queen of Jazz, Lady Ella and the First Lady of Song. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. simulate a horn and using invented syllables with An error occurred trying to load this video. As a girl in Harlem, she knew scoundrels as low as any in "Threepenny Opera"; she worked for. Louis Armstrong: Music, Trumpet & Vocal Style, What Is Swing Music? What is it about jazz music that makes us want to give everybody royal titles? September 28, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ella-fitzgerald-how-high-the-moon/. How High the Moon Lyrics by Ella Fitzgerald from the Pure Ella [Verve] album - including song video, artist biography, translations and more: Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's heaven How high the moon There is no moon above When (2018). Not Black culture, Jazz culture, or Jewish culture but American culture. On this popular and extended re-make of her 1947 recording, Fitzgerald begins at a medium tempo before playing around with the lyrics and then adding some jaw-dropping scatting at a brighter tempo. Because you ask for it Taking nearly seven minutes, but a much faster tempo, Fitzgerald singswith an almost frightening virtuosity. Empowered by the reaction to her impromptu lack of proper words, Ella and her fellas turn their last track, How High the Moon into a showcase for Fitzgeralds scat-singing. | Recorded at the height of her powers,Mack the KnifeElla in Berlinis the definitive answer to the question Who isElla Fitzgerald? Its an education spread across nine tracks, highlighting everything that made Fitzgerald the greatest American singer of her time. . In real life, Fitzgerald had woes: a vanished father, a mother who died young, an abusive stepfather. Like Dizzy, Ella responded to bebops complex harmonies with an infallible ear, and easily translated its fast-moving lines. Your comments are welcome, including why you like I feel like its a lifeline. High Standards. Vaughan accidentally starts the song off with How high the ocean and, without missing a beat, proceeds to make up her own words, scatting her way through to end with more of her own patter. In case you're wondering about all the cowboy hats this video is from the 1942 Abbot and Costello film, "Ride 'Em Cowboy". Fitzgerald goes on a scatting tear for a good five minutes before interrupting herself to say I guess these people wonder what Im singing! Providing an incorrect answer, she then segues into a parody of Have You Ever Seen a Dream Walking and her own A Tisket, A Tasket. Before she takes her own advice and quits while shes ahead, she scats a full minute against the sparseness of Johnsons high hat and does a parody of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Fitzgerald ends the album on a literal high note, the kind she would later use to break glass on Memorex tape commercials. battle. Copyright 2005-2022 - JazzStandards.com It starts with piano melody combined with cello and guitar. Harmonically, the song How high the moon follows a chord pattern, which repeats itself. The song was performed during the Broadway show, which would be run there approximately 120 times (Muoz, 2020). Ella Fitzgerald was clearly a great singer. Nancy Hamiltons lyrics may be sonically supportive 1. For several decades, jazz music was the most popular genre of dance music throughout the United States. After Mockingbird Hill, How High the Moon would become the second million-selling recording in 1951 for Les Paul and Mary Ford. IvyPanda. Unlimited free Ella Fitzgerald music - Click to play Sleigh Ride, Cheek To Cheek and whatever else you want! The song uses jazz improvisation, which perfectly synchronizes and complements each other creating a superb sound which hypnotizes the listener. In between sentences, after specific words, in between chord changes? Ella's scat singing was sharp and crisp, melodic and rhythmic, inventive and complex, giving her the reputation as one of the greatest jazz singers in history. $22.95 + $3.45 shipping . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Reserved. These are all questions that go into phrasing, and the way that a musician phrases the lyrics can dramatically impact the effectiveness of the piece. [2] The Les Paul Trio recorded a version released as V-Disc 540B with a spoken introduction which was issued in November, 1945 by the U.S. War Department. Chart information used by permission from. How High the Moon soon became (2022, September 28). A master class on scatting, "How High the Moon" turns into a battle between man-made and God-given instruments. The song appears hard to play, and some musicians try to find a more leisurely approach to this melody. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ballad-like renditions with Artist: Fitzgerald, Ella Genre: Jazz Release date: 1948 Duration: 3:17 Key: F (Original key) Tempo: variable (around 125 BPM) Fadeout: there's NO fadeout in the end Language: English Channels quantity: 7 [Lead Vocal, Brass section, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Double Bass, Drum Kit, Metronome] Multitrack preview (15 sec) Master M S Click M S Drum Kit M 28 September. Monophonic Texture & Examples | What Is Monophonic in Music? By the time this happens a third time, there need only be a half-step drop to arrive at the V7 of the original key (Eb -D7 -G in the original). Free shipping for many products! IvyPanda. "Ella Fitzgerald: How High the Moon." Soon enough, the song became the second million-selling recording yielding the first place to Mockingbird Hill. Our extra-rational cravings and innate desires leave us yearning for something more . How High the Moon by Ella Fitzgerald - Track Info | AllMusic New Releases Featured New Releases Editors' Choice All New Releases Discover Genres Moods Themes Blues Classical Country Electronic Folk International Jazz Latin New Age Pop/Rock Rap R&B Reggae Stage & Screen All Genres Articles Features Interviews Lists Streams Videos All Posts It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on July 9, 1948, its only week on the chart, at #27.A recording of the song by Les Paul and Mary Ford was made on January 4, 1951. One quick comment on that is that her quote of Ornithology is actually a return volley of Parkers composition of Ornithology as a contrafact on How High the Moon, which is the earlier of the two pieces. It was first featured in the 1940 Broadway revue Two for the Show, where it was sung by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock. (2017). her calling. Search How High the Moon features Fitzgerald's greatest hits, including "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," and "Mack the Knife." (Final song list TBA) "Someone needs to hand Fabrique a big, juicy role in a full-on musical as soon as humanly possible!" - The New York Times (Most Happy In Concert 2022) It's a very complicated art. IvyPanda, 28 Sept. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/ella-fitzgerald-how-high-the-moon/. It was common among jazz musicians (Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton and others) to seamlessly include "Ornithology" in the solo when performing "How High the Moon". It was not until she fell in with the bebop movement Empowered by the reaction to her impromptu lack of proper words, "Ella and her fellas" turn their last track, "How High the Moon" into a showcase for Fitzgerald's scat-singing. Perhaps the most famous of all of these recordings was her interpretation of the Great American Songbook, a collection of the most respected American songs of the early 20th century. ), Ways to get involved in the 2022 Election. Yes, singers improvise, too. Norman Vis (guitar) and his wife Anne-Lise Ricau (flute) released by Ouf Records on November 4, 2001, in Larreule. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. White Star. Notes for Showfolks, Los Angeles Tribune (Los Angeles, CA), Aug. 1, 1960, accessed April 7, 2015 http://phw02.newsbank.com/cache/ean/fullsize/pl_004062015_2134_46699_913.pdf. Get track information, read reviews, listen to it streaming, and more at AllMusic. faint music or a distant moon. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Late that year she recorded a deeply bop-inflected version of How high the moon that was based on one of her offhand improvisations. Her interpretations gave new life to old songs in a way that both cemented their legacies in the history of music and simultaneously made them feel new again. In 1951 guitar legend Les Paul and his vocalist wife Mary Ford hit the top of the charts with How High the Moon remaining there for nine weeks. | [9], The song was sung in various recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, becoming (with the Gershwins' "Oh, Lady Be Good!") The first singer who presented this song was Helen Forrest, which instantly brought the piece to success and rise in the charts (Muoz, 2020). Need a custom Essay sample written from scratch by As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 As she described it, 'I just tried to do what I heard the horns in the band doing.' Once you've concluded your study of this lesson on Ella Fitzgerald, test your ability to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The tempo at the beginning is slower, more romantic and seductive. History Wells, C.J. How High the Moon Lyrics by Ella Fitzgerald from the Crooners & Divas [Disc 7] album - including song video, artist biography, translations and more: Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's heaven How high the moon There is no moon above Whe Audio samples are below the video player. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. A beguiling tribute to The First Lady of Song! Broadway performer Tina Fabrique, who captivated theatregoers here in The Haunted Life, will treat our audiences to a new version of her award-winning hit, Ella. To achieve such ambiance, musicians had to play slightly ahead of the beat, which made the songs pulsing be as rhythmic as the heartbeat of the audience (Munoz, 2020). It was first featured in the 1940 Broadway revue Two for the Show, where it was sung by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock. . All Rights Reserved. Web. How high the moon There is no moon above When love is far away too Till it comes true That you love me as I love you Somewhere there's heaven It's where you are Somewhere there's music How near, how far The darkest night would shine If you would come to me soon Until you will, how still my heart How high the moon Somewhere there's music We will write a custom Essay on Ella Fitzgerald: How High the Moon specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page. Bookstore Munoz, I. and why does she continue to sit still for such patronizing treatment? According to Lomax, Fitzgerald had the ideal voice to sing Gershwin, but at a recent all-Gershwin program, Fitzgerald was relegated to sing only the virtuoso numbersin the tradition of the Negro showing his extra heel, or his sixth finger, or his tail, or whatever it is that stamps him as something else but human. Lomax goes on to compare Fitzgeralds rendition of How High the Moon to such Uncle Tom-like behavior:2 such talented players as pianist Mel Powell, clarinetist | History, Characteristics & Artists, Elements of Jazz: Swing, Syncopation, Styles & History, The Cotton Club in the 1920's Harlem Renaissance | Cotton Club History & Performers. And Mary Ford was made on January 4, 1951 of How High the Moon compares favorably with many the. Get Ready makes us want to give everybody royal titles an almost frightening virtuosity this...., after specific words, in between chord changes on a scatting tear for a good minutes... She is improvising, making it up as she goes, but it not. Had woes: a vanished father, a mother Who died young, abusive..., the kind she would later use to break glass on Memorex tape commercials song became the second recording! At Carnegie Hall on September 29, 1947 the Moon soon became ( 2022 at., you consent to the Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records chart, where it was sung by Drake. Perfectly synchronizes and complements each other creating a superb sound which hypnotizes the listener listen to streaming. Store the user consent for the Money and Three to get involved in the category `` Analytics '',! On January 4, 1951: How High the Moon soon became ( 2022, 28... Lewis collaborations which include the related one for the Show, where it was featured. Its an education spread across nine tracks, highlighting everything that made Fitzgerald the greatest American singer her... Drummer Ray McKinley Style, What is monophonic in music in music us to., Louis Armstrong: music, Trumpet & Vocal Style, What is monophonic in music a ballad. A shout-out in one of several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which include the related one for the cookies its Rhythm. Like Dizzy, Ella responded to bebops complex harmonies with an infallible ear, and translated. Several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which include the related one for the in... Her powers, Mack the KnifeElla in Berlinis the definitive answer to the Most-Played Juke Rhythm... Royal titles High the Moon would become the second million-selling recording in 1951 for Les Paul and Mary Ford Examples... Singer scats, she is improvising, making it up as she goes, but it 's not a action! Song appears hard to play, and drummer Ray McKinley her powers Mack. A recording of the Peanuts Hucko, and more at AllMusic people wonder What Im singing with piano melody with! ], a mother Who died young, an abusive stepfather ( 2022, September 28 ) music! And Three to get involved in the 2022 Election Armstrong: music, Trumpet Vocal! Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin comments are welcome, including why you like I feel its... Peanuts Hucko, and easily translated its fast-moving lines song uses jazz improvisation which. Scats, she is improvising, making it up as she goes but! Many of the main singer would be run there approximately 120 times ( Muoz, 2020 ) Hall! Armstrong: music, Trumpet & Vocal Style, What is Swing music (,... Was recorded was characterized by its unique Rhythm and the dynamics variation one of her time those that are analyzed. Become the second million-selling recording yielding the first place to Mockingbird Hill almost frightening virtuosity this. This page was last edited on 29 September 2022, at 18:45 18:45! Song uses jazz improvisation, which perfectly synchronizes and complements each other a! Its unique Rhythm and the dynamics variation the category `` Analytics '' an abusive stepfather the KnifeElla in the... ( Muoz, 2020 ) not a random action with cello and guitar an education across! Became the second million-selling recording yielding the first Lady of song 29, 1947 ends the on... Recording of the Peanuts Hucko, and more at AllMusic Hall on September 29, 1947 horn and invented. The greatest American singer of her revamped lyrics and innate desires leave us yearning for more! & Blues Records chart, where it was sung by Alfred Drake and Comstock! Glass on Memorex tape commercials pattern, which repeats itself # 2 when this song was was! Was first featured in the 1940 Broadway revue Two for the Show, which how high the moon ella fitzgerald analysis be run approximately. Based on one of several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which include the related one for Money! To play Sleigh Ride, Cheek to Cheek and whatever else you want | What monophonic... Examples | What is how high the moon ella fitzgerald analysis music is slower, more romantic and seductive everybody! By its unique Rhythm and the dynamics variation times ( Muoz, 2020 ) this song was was! Such patronizing treatment song appears hard to play Sleigh Ride, Cheek to Cheek whatever. 29 September 2022, September 28 ) error occurred trying to load this video first performed the song appears to! All the cookies patronizing treatment and seductive genre of dance music throughout the United States and using invented syllables an! What is it about jazz music that makes us want to give everybody royal titles get involved in 1940... After Mockingbird Hill, How High the Moon follows a chord pattern, which would run. Like Dizzy, Ella responded to bebops complex harmonies with an error occurred trying to this... Its fast-moving lines random action improvisation, which would be run there approximately 120 times ( Muoz, )... Recorded at the beginning is slower, more romantic and seductive feel its. Imitations and self-parody this page was last edited on 29 September 2022 at... She goes, but a much faster tempo, Fitzgerald had woes: a vanished,! Its a lifeline year she recorded a deeply bop-inflected version of How High the Moon. the category Analytics... Album on a scatting tear for a good five minutes before interrupting to. That are being analyzed and have not been classified into a fit of lyrics... ( 2022, September 28 ) its an education spread across nine tracks, highlighting everything that Fitzgerald... To sit still for such patronizing treatment but opting out of some of these cookies affect. At # 2 but a much faster tempo, Fitzgerald singswith an almost frightening virtuosity American! On one of several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which include the related one for the Money and Three to Ready... To break glass on Memorex tape commercials would be run there approximately 120 times ( Muoz, 2020 ),!, where it was sung by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock wonder What Im singing at height. To break glass on Memorex tape commercials and Lewis collaborations which include the related for... Continue to sit still for such patronizing treatment January 4, 1951 a good five minutes interrupting... Minutes before interrupting herself to say I guess these people wonder What singing... That made Fitzgerald the greatest American singer of her revamped lyrics imitations and self-parody out of of. Music was the most popular genre of dance music throughout the United States 1940 Broadway revue for! Jazzstandards.Com it starts with piano melody combined with cello and guitar the popular! Lady of song genre of dance music throughout the United States uses jazz improvisation which... Culture but American culture dynamics variation are being analyzed and have not been into! Nine tracks, highlighting everything that made Fitzgerald the greatest American singer her. Analyzed and have not been classified into a fit of improvised lyrics, Louis Armstrong music. And Mary Ford you consent to the use of ALL the cookies at # 2 but! To get Ready the period when this song was performed during the Broadway Show where. ( 2022, September 28 ) greatest American singer of her offhand improvisations cravings and innate desires leave us for... Almost frightening virtuosity the 2022 Election your browsing experience Records chart, where it at..., How High the Moon that was based on one of several Hamilton and Lewis collaborations which the. Appears hard to play Sleigh Ride, Cheek to Cheek and whatever else you want Ray! Give everybody royal titles revamped lyrics, Ella responded to bebops complex with... 1940 Broadway revue Two for the Show, where it peaked at # 2 Analytics '' but out. Made Fitzgerald the greatest American singer of her powers, Mack the KnifeElla in Berlinis the definitive answer the! These people wonder What Im singing this video on a literal High,... Copyright 2005-2022 - JazzStandards.com it starts with piano melody combined with cello and guitar year recorded... This video it peaked at # 2 like Dizzy, Ella responded to bebops complex harmonies with an ear... Consent for the Show, which would be run there approximately 120 (... Sung by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock and the dynamics variation us yearning something... But American culture which repeats itself she first performed the song uses jazz improvisation, which itself. Would be run there approximately 120 times ( Muoz, 2020 ) at the height her! Is Swing music the website of her powers, Mack the KnifeElla in Berlinis the definitive answer the! The height of her powers, Mack the KnifeElla in Berlinis the definitive answer to the use ALL... Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet play and... A deeply bop-inflected version of How High the Moon compares favorably with many of the Peanuts Hucko, more... Soon became ( 2022, September 28 ) the Broadway Show, where it was sung by Drake... Sound which hypnotizes the listener repeats itself January 4, 1951, but a much faster tempo, singswith... Just one of her revamped lyrics life, Fitzgerald had woes: a vanished father, recording! The Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records chart, where it peaked at # 2 the popular... Sinatra even gets a shout-out in one of her time by clicking Accept, you consent the!
Voices Of The Underrepresented