‘100: Apollo Celebrates Ella’ just announced new additions to the blockbuster lineup.
Happening on October 22, the centennial celebration of Ella Fitzgerald will feature powerhouse vocalists Andra Day, Patti Austin and Lizz Wright. The organizers have just announced newest additions to the lineup including jazz powerhouse Cassandra Wilson, GRAMMY nominated performer Monica Mancini, and Oscar-winning actor, producer, director and singer Kevin Spacey.
100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella will honor the career of the “First Lady of Song” and her relationship to the Apollo Theater, where she won Amateur Night at the age of 17 and performed regularly throughout her career. This concert marks the inaugural performance of the theater’s celebration of the jazz icon’s centennial, with events and performances through the spring of 2017.
Ella Fitzgerald’s relationship with the Apollo Theatre started in the midst of Harlem Renaissance. In the fall of 1934, being only 17 years-old she performed at the Amateur Night. Apollo legend has it that she originally planned to dance, but made the last minute decision to sing after being intimidated by the competition. Ella was so nervous she improvised song lyrics by imitating its instruments—a technique that would become part of her signature repertoire, scatting.
Music highlights for 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella include “A Ticket a Tasket,” “Blues in the Night,” “Miss Otis Regrets,” “You’ll Have to Swing It” and more.
Tickets for 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella are $35- $95. Tickets will be available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125thStreet, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
