Introducing Vocalist April Varner

This article previously appeared in Jersey Jazz Magazine. The 1957 Verve album, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book, contained 38 tracks, including some of the best-known tunes associated with Ellington such as “Solitude,” “Satin Doll,” and “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Contestants in this year’s sixth annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, sponsored by Blues Alley Jazz, were asked to select any three songs from that album for their contest auditions… [ read more ]