First Lady of Song, to be Honored in Ella Fitzgerald Tribute

A night of sultry jazz and romance await those attending Saturday night’s, ‘A Tribute to Ella’,presented by the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. in the Atwood Concert Hall at theAlaska Center for the Performing Arts.“If you are looking for a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day the weekend before, then this isthe show for you,” RandallCraig Fleischer, ASO maestro, said via phone interview Mondaynight. “Expect to be musically thrilled and wonderfully moved by the performances of the twovocalists who are joining us for this performance.”Saturday night’s show is one Fleischer has performed several times before in other locations andhe’s worked with one of the singers for nearly two decades.Both, he said, are fabulous.“These two are the top of Broadway,” Fleischer said. “They are both impressive as artiststhemselves and their interpretation of the great Ella Fitzgerald is unique and showcases theirindividual talents. This is not a copycat for sure.”Fleischer is referencing Aisha de Haas and Capathia Jenkins, the vocalists slated for Saturdaynight’s performance, the latter of which Fleischer considers a close friend and a professional hehas turned to many times in the nearly two decades past when previous productions require astrong, jazzy vocalist.Haas began her singing career with the Chicago Children’s Choir. She graduated from ColumbiaCollege Chicago and moved on to star in the, “Little Shop of Horrors,” at the Royal GeorgeTheatre and in, “Four SaintsThree Acts,” with the Chicago Opera House. Shortly thereafter, shemoved to Broadway appearing in, “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in the Funk,” as well as, “Rent,”and “Caroline or Change.”Jenkins made her Broadway debut in, “The Civil War,”in 1999 followed by appearances in “TheLook of Love,” “Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me,” and “Newsies.” She was in an Off-Broadwayrevival of“Godspell,” with her voice still being heard in the original cast. She works withorchestras around the world and has done guest spots on televisions series including, “30 Rock,”“The Sopranos,” and “The Practice.”Even though Haas and Jenkins are playingthe role of Ella Saturday night, attend the eventexpecting these two vocalists to look exactly as Ella did or to emulate her voice exactly.After all, improvisational is a huge aspect in jazz music.

The maestro said Haas and Jenkins are wearing gorgeousgowns–just as Ella did–but notnecessarily duplicates of hers.Vocally speaking, they will scat and shrill and toy with the melodies most likely as all jazzsingers do, yes, while also, as Fleischer said, “these two phenomenal singers are living all that isElla and presenting it brilliantly to the audience. You get the sense that they are channeling Elladuring the show.”Regrettably, Fleischer said he did not get to see Ella in a live performance prior to her death in1996. He was, however, regularlyexposed to her music.During Fleischer’s youth in Canton, Ohio, his father was a drummer in a band regularlyshowcasing Ella’s music and other jazz artists.“At a young age, I really did come to appreciate the genius of her gift,” Fleischer said, notingthat in his opinion no other artist has come close to Ella’s accomplishments. “She was afreakishly genius talent in the way she used her voice. Nobody did and nobody does what Elladid.”Unlike some of the ASO’s other more formal performances for which patrons often dress wellabove Alaskan chic, Fleischer said Saturday night’s show is the perfect one for which to dress abit more casual.“Wear your jeans,” he said. “Come expecting to be entertained and perhaps groove a little bit.”Be ready for some classic trick up his sleeve. The maestro is well known for bringing a littlesurprise to the stage; a little something extra to engage the audience.Of course, he wouldn’t give any hints during our phone interview.“Well, if I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” he said with a bit of glee in his voice.As of press deadline, there were plenty of tickets still available.Purchase tickets online atwww.centertix.com.Call (907) 263-ARTS (2787) or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-TIX.Tickets also for sale at the ACPA box office.