Honoring Ella

I had the great privilege this weekend of being part of the team (including the legendary producer and Shore Fire client Phil Ramone, one of our favorite bookers Tisha Fine and John Newcott of the great Verve Records) that put on a spectacular tribute to Ella Fitzgerald 'We Love Ella! A Tribute To the First Lady of Song' at USC's new Galen Center in LA which will air on PBS June 6. That's me with Phil, John and Tisha.







The set was glorious and the performers were incredible including Shore Fire client Patti Austin (who looked absolutely stunning and brought down the house by the way), Verve's new artist Ledisi who got a standing ovation for her rousing version of "Blues in the Night" and Natalie Cole who hosted and performed Ella songs like 'A Tisket A Tasket.' Both Ledisi and Natalie's songs are featured on Verve's tribute album 'We All Love Ella:Celebrating the First Lady of Song' out June 5. There's me and Ledisi below.




Backstage at the event it was a who's who of performers including Natalie Cole, Lizz Wright (who are also featured on the Verve tribute record), Quincy Jones, George Duke, Ruben Studdard, James Moody, George Duke, Take 6 and more. I love this shot of Patti Austin and Nancy Wilson. I also finally had the opportunity to meet Dave Koz who owns Patti Austin's label Rendezvous Entertainment.




This event was definitely one to remember.