Jazz Icons: Ella Fitzgerald "Live in ’57 & ’63"

Calling all Jazz fans! When was the last time that you took an hour out of your busy evening to relax and enjoy some good old fashioned jazz? On Wednesday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m., the Montclair Public Library will present the first film in a new series called Jazz Titans of Film. The series premiers with Jazz Icons: Ella Fitzgerald "Live in ’57 & ’63". Professor Robert Gold will introduce the film and lead an informal discussion afterward.

In Jazz Icons: Ella Fitzgerald features "The First Lady of Song" in two distinct performances. The first is the earliest known complete concert of Ella to be captured on film. Shot in Belgium, this 1957 concert has her performing with jazz greats Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Jo Jones and the legendary Oscar Peterson on classics such and "Lullaby of Birdland," and "It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing)". The second show is an intimate in-studio performance from 1953, taped in Sweden, featuring Ella backed by a quartet including pianist Tommy Flanagan. Highlights include stellar versions of "Mack the Knife" and "Just One of Those Things."

Montclair resident Robert Gold is a leading expert in the History of Jazz. He is the author of two books and numerous articles about jazz icons for the Encyclopedia of World Biography. Gold is also the jazz consultant for the Harvard Dictionary of Music

Dr. Gold is Professor Emeritus from New Jersey City University and has been an adjunct at Montclair State University.

This program will be held in the auditorium of the main library, 50 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair. This program is free and open to the public. Further information may be obtained by calling the library: (973) 744-0500, ext. 2221.