Verve Records announce the release of a never-before-heard live recording of Ella Fitzgerald

Verve Records has announced the release of a never-before-heard stellar live recording from the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald.

The Lost Berlin Tapes were recorded at Berlin’s Sportpalast on March 25, 1962, and finds Ella with a trio led by pianist Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks on bass, and Stan Levey on drums.

These tapes are a jewel in the treasure chest of impresario and Verve Records founder Norman Granz’s private collection.

As Ella’s manager, he had a habit of recording Ella live – sometimes for radio broadcast, sometimes for later release, sometimes just to have.

This particular recording was done in both mono and stereo – and on this March evening at Berlin’s Sportpalast, Ella delivered, singing some lesser-known gems as well as the hits.

She opens with "Cheek To Cheek," followed by the rarer "He’s My Kind of Boy."

After her behind-the-shoulder scat-heavy salute with "Jersey Bounce," Ella shifts to a heart-wrenching ballad of the Great American Songbook, "Angel Eyes."

Ella also sings the Ray Charles hit "Hallelujah, I Love Him So," singing a reprise that shows her improvisational skills.

The Lost Berlin Tapes will be released on Verve Records on October 2, 2020, and are available to pre-order now.