Mack the Knife (Berlin, 1960)
Context
Recording of the concert given by Ella Fitzgerald at the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin on February 13, 1960, produced by Norman Granz and released by Verve as Mack the Knife: Ella in Berlin. On this standard by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, the singer forgets the lyrics and improvises replacement words over the melody. The album, which won two Grammy Awards, remains one of her most popular records.
In the genealogy of jazz
This track belongs to Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese. Among the origins and influences of Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese: Classic blues (women singers), Swing, big bands, Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's).
Cited in 1 radio episode
- Oct 8, 2026: MACK THE KNIFE - COMPLAINTE D'UNE CRAPULE