What is the best Ella Fitzgerald album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book" (1957). It's the most representative of what makes Ella Fitzgerald worth hearing.

How many albums does Ella Fitzgerald have?

Ella Fitzgerald has 118 releases in their discography, including 87 albums.

Photo: Carl Van Vechten · Public domain

Ella Fitzgerald

Q: Who is Ella Fitzgerald for?

If you're into jazz and soul, Ella Fitzgerald is worth your time. Fitzgerald’s music dances through space with buoyant phrasing and rhythmic playfulness, crafting a rich tapestry of sound that pulses with life.

Fitzgerald’s music dances through space with buoyant phrasing and rhythmic playfulness, crafting a rich tapestry of sound that pulses with life.

jazz · soul · swing · traditional pop

United States

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Start here

The album

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book album by Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)

This album features key works by Ellington, showcasing Fitzgerald's vocal prowess and ability to interpret complex melodies in a cohesive manner.

The song

“Summertime”

An iconic track that highlights Fitzgerald's rich voice and emotional delivery, making it a compelling introduction to her style and artistry.

See the full guide

About Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald matters because she redefined what it means to be a vocalist in jazz, elevating the role of improvisation and emotional expression.

Her ability to transcend mere technical prowess allowed listeners to experience music in a deeply personal way, making her a cultural touchstone who inspired generations of artists across genres.

Her ability to transcend mere technical prowess allowed listeners to experience music in a deeply personal way, making her a cultural touchstone who inspired generations of artists across genres. Fitzgerald's influence is palpable in how contemporary vocalists approach phrasing and interpretation, often drawing from her fearless exploration of melody and rhythm. Fitzgerald's innovative approach to singing involved her remarkable scat technique and mastery of phrasing, enabling her to weave intricate vocal lines that could mimic instruments. She approached each performance with an improvisational spirit that transformed standard songs into new narratives, compelling audiences to engage with music on an emotional level. By blending heartfelt delivery with playful experimentation, she brought a sense of spontaneity to the stage that invited listeners into her world. Lyrically, Fitzgerald often navigated themes of love, loss, and joy, reflecting the complexities of human experience. Her storytelling approach combined sincerity with a touch of whimsy, allowing listeners to find both comfort and excitement within her performances. This duality in her voice invites audiences to connect emotionally while also appreciating the artistry behind her delivery.

87 studio albums· 118 total releases· 7 decades· United States

Full discography

Ella Fitzgerald's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

118 releases • 87 albums • 1944–2020

Type:

Studio albums (83)

Grouped by decade — 9 eras.

2020s ()

The Lost Berlin Tapes

2020

2010s ()

Ella at Zardi’s

2017

2000s ()

Twelve Nights in Hollywood album by Ella Fitzgerald

1990s ()

Ella in Budapest album by Ella Fitzgerald

1980s ()

1970s ()

1960s ()

1950s ()

Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers album by Ella Fitzgerald

Undated ()

Ella in Hamburg album by Ella Fitzgerald

Live ()

Ella Fitzgerald Live at Mister Kelly's

2007

Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall

1973

Compilations ()

The Complete Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong on Verve

1997

The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books

1994

Singles (31)

Grouped by decade — 3 eras.

1960s ()

Ringo Beat

1965

1950s ()

Lover, Come Back To Me / Old Devil Moon album by Ella Fitzgerald

1940s ()

Foolish Tears / A Man Wrote a Song album by Ella Fitzgerald

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"This Can’t Be Love" — from At Newport (1958)

accessible entry with immediate hook
2

"Barbados" — from Montreux '77 (Tommy Flanagan album) (1977)

establishes the sonic palette early

Continue your journey

If you liked Ella Fitzgerald, start with Sarah Vaughan

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

Listen

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata Discogs

Ella Fitzgerald

About Ella Fitzgerald

Full discography

Studio albums (83)

2020s ()

The Lost Berlin Tapes

2010s ()

Ella at Zardi’s

2000s ()

Twelve Nights in Hollywood

Gold

Jukebox Ella: The Complete Verve Singles, Vol. 1

A Perfect Match

Sophisticated Lady

1990s ()

Ella in Budapest

Ella Returns to Berlin

Ella Fitzgerald 1939

Ella Fitzgerald 1938-1939

Ella Fitzgerald 1935-1937

Ella Fitzgerald 1937-1938

1980s ()

All That Jazz

Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert

Easy Living

The Stockholm Concert

Nice Work If You Can Get It – Ella Fitzgerald & Andre Previn Do Gershwin

Speak Love

Ella à Nice

The Best Is Yet to Come

Ella Abraça Jobim – Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook

1970s ()

A Classy Pair

Fine and Mellow

Dream Dancing

Lady Time

Montreux '77 (Tommy Flanagan album)

Ella and Oscar

Fitzgerald and Pass... Again

Montreux '75

Take Love Easy

Jazz at Santa Monica Civic '72

Ella Loves Cole

1960s ()

Ella

Misty Blue

30 by Ella

Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas

Brighten the Corner

Ella & Duke at the Cote D'Azur

Whisper Not

Ella at Duke's Place

Hello, Dolly!

Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook

These Are the Blues

Ella and Basie!

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook

Ella Sings Broadway

Rhythm Is My Business

Ella Swings Gently with Nelson

Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson

Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!

Ella in Hollywood

Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Hello, Love

Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs from "Let No Man Write My Epitaph"

Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife

1950s ()

Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers

Get Happy!

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook

At Newport

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook

Ella Swings Lightly

At the Opera House

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book

Like Someone in Love

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook