AboutJay Kay Expertise A serious record collector of classic jazz for 50 years, and an amateur musician, I am well-versed in matters pertaining to traditional/Dixieland and Swing/mainstream jazz - in other words, hot music and its first cousins. I invite your questions, evaluations, opinions, ideas, etc., in exchange for some of mine.
Expert: Jay Kay Date: 4/13/2008 Subject: Duke Ellington- sophisticated lady
Question I heard this version of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Lady that I can't stop thinking about. I know it was Duke Ellington's orchestra playing, but I don't know who the woman singing was, and she had the most beautiful voice. Could you please tell me who this might possibly have been? (I know this isn't a lot of information to go on but if you could just give me some ideas that would be great)
Answer Ellington's best-known female vocalists were Adelaide Hall, Ivie Anderson and Betty Roche. He also recorded with quite a few others who were not regular members of his ensemble. In addition, he recorded "Sophisticated Lady" more than once. I don't know how much help this information will be to you, but hopefully it will at least give you a start.
