Portrait Of Ella Fitzgerald (Medley)

While Billie Strayhorn sets the mood
We gather the material for our musical portrait of Ella Fitzgerald
By allowing our imagination to browse through her family album
We see there many people, pretty people, strong people
Sturdy, solid people, people in events of great dignity and distinction
And all with a beat
As we turn the pages, we observe that she is of royal ancestry
In our first movement, we try to capture and convey some of the majesty of Her Majesty

As the inspection of our royal subject gains momentum
We imagine we have been granted a confidential glimpse into her diary
And the more we leaf through the pages
The more we realize that this is a personality of wonderful warmth
That she is all heart

Ella Fitzgerald is a great philanthropist
She gives so generously of her talent, not only to the public
But to the composers whose works she performs
Her artistry always brings to mind the words of the maestro
Mr. Toscanini, who said there are only two kinds of musicians
Either you're a good musician or you're not
And in terms of musicianship, Ella Fitzgerald is beyond category

Hey, Billy Strayhorn, we're going to change piano players at this point
Would you come over here to the mic, please?
I think it only fitting that Billy should have the responsibility of the concluding statement

In our musical search for a total portrait of Ella Fitzgerald
We find a melodic parallel in which royal ancestry
Greatness of heart and talent beyond category
Are the principal components in the quest for total jazz