Nikki Yanofsky – Ella… Of Thee I Swing

Who could be mad at a thirteen-year-old girl trying to swing like Ella? On her debut Ella… Of Thee I Swing recorded live at Montreal’s Place des Arts in 2007, Nikki Yanofsky perfected Ella’s chops on fast-tempo tunes like “Old McDonald,” “A Tisket, a Tasket” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Got That Swing).” She imitated not only Ella’s nimble style, but also her scat. Needless to say, her technical skill, particularly breath control, is nowhere near the First Lady of Song. She has a remarkable voice for her age, but lacks the experience to fully articulate the blues on “Evil Gal Blues” and “Ain’t Got Nothing But the Blues.” She needs a few more years to develop her potential.