Ivie Anderson (1904-49) was arguably Duke Ellington’s best singer, a major part of his band during 1931-42.
At her very first recording session in 1932, she introduced “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and the following year recorded one of the first versions of “Stormy Weather.”
In 1941, appearing with the Ellington Orchestra in the Jump For Joy revue, she was the first to perform and record “I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good.”
On this soundie from 1942, Ivie Anderson (who is joined by the Ellington Orchestra and the unseen Johnny Hodges who plays some luscious alto) not only sings “I Got It Bad” but is effective as an actress, pretending that she was in love with an indifferent Ellington.
-Scott Yanow
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