(PR) To celebrate what would have been Ella Fitzgerald’s 90th birthday, Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records are co-releasing “Love Letters From Ella,” a collection of never-before-released love songs. Recorded with some of her favorite collaborators, including Count Basie and his Orchestra, Joe Pass, and André Previn, “Love Letters From Ella” also pairs the singer with The London Symphony Orchestra for the first time. The CD will be available at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada and traditional music retail beginning on July 31, 2007.The magical 10-track CD, mixed in high-definition audio, includes Ella and Basie swinging “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone,” an intimate duet between Joe Pass and Fitzgerald on “The One I Love” and a playful performance of “Our Love is Here to Stay” with pianist André Previn. “Love Letters From Ella” also features the celebrated singer accompanied by The London Symphony Orchestra on a stirring rendition of “Cry Me a River.” The London Symphony Orchestra recorded the accompaniment, arranged by 24-time GRAMMY® Award-nominee Jorge Calandrelli, at Abbey Road studios in London.
“Love Letters From Ella” also served as an inspiration for the upcoming PBS broadcast “WE LOVE ELLA!” a WNET “Great Performances” special. The show will honor Ella with performances by, among others, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, k.d. lang, Take Six, Wynonna, Lizz Wright, Monica Mancini and Nancy Wilson. “WE LOVE ELLA!” will be taped in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 29, the week of Ella’s birthday, and is scheduled to air on June 6, 2007.
Track Listing:
1. “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” (w/ Count Basie and his Orchestra)
2. “Cry Me a River” (w/ London Symphony Orchestra)
3. “You Turned the Tables on Me”
4. “I’ve Got the World on a String” (w/ London Symphony Orchestra and Joe Pass)
5. “Witchcraft”
6. “My Old Flame” (w/ London Symphony Orchestra)
7. “The One I Love” (w/ Joe Pass)
8. “Take Love Easy” (w/ London Symphony Orchestra and Joe Pass)
9. “Our Love is Here to Stay” (w/ André Previn)
10. “Some Other Spring” (w/ Count Basie and his Orchestra)
