Ella with the London Symphony Orchestra – Someone To Watch Over Me

Ella Fitzgerald – Someone to Watch Over Me
Ella Fitzgerald with the London Symphony Orchestra

A luxurious orchestral showcase of one of jazz’s greatest vocalists, Someone to Watch Over Me pairs Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless voice with the sweeping elegance of full symphonic arrangements. The result is a rich, cinematic reimagining of the Great American Songbook, where jazz phrasing meets orchestral grandeur.

Across the album, Fitzgerald’s interpretive mastery is front and centre - her phrasing precise yet relaxed, her tone warm, effortless, and deeply expressive. Supported by the lush textures of the London Symphony Orchestra, each standard is expanded into a broad emotional landscape without losing its intimacy.

Classic compositions by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and other Songbook greats are reinterpreted with a balance of restraint and sophistication. Songs like “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” highlight Fitzgerald’s ability to find emotional nuance in familiar material, while “Bewitched” and “Misty” showcase her signature clarity and control.

Guest appearances add further dimension: Gregory Porter brings a modern jazz vocal contrast on “People Will Say We’re in Love,” while Louis Armstrong joins Fitzgerald on two iconic duets, including “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” blending two legendary voices in jazz history.

The album stands as a graceful fusion of jazz tradition and orchestral arrangement - refined, emotional, and enduringly elegant.

Tracklist:

1. People Will Say We’re in Love – People Will Say We're In Love
2. Someone to Watch Over Me – Someone to Watch Over Me
3. They Can’t Take That Away From Me – They Can't Take That Away From Me
4. Bewitched – Bewitched
5. I Get a Kick Out of You – I Get a Kick Out of You
6. Misty – Misty
7. Maskin’ Whoopee! – Maskin' Whoopee!
8. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) – These Foolish Things
9. Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off – Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
10. What Is There to Say – What Is There To Say
11. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) – Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)
12. With a Song in My Heart – With a Song in My Heart