By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Grammy Award winning divas of hip-hop, funk, soul, jazz and pop are just some of the big names that have been assembled for a special Ella Fitzgerald tribute album due out June 5 -- just in time for Black Music Month.
Queen Latifah, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Etta James and Dianne Reeves will all pay homage to Fitzgerald on the 13 track set titled 'We All Love Ella: Celebrating The First Lady of Song.'
Linda Rondstadt, Michael Buble, Lizz Wright, k.d. lang, Hank Jones, Diana Krall and Hank Jones also leant their interpretations of Fitzgerald's vast songbook, which includes pop standards such as 'Someone to Watch Over Me,' 'Lullaby of Birdland' and the Van Alexander/Fitzgerald-penned 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket.'
The project -- produced by veteran producer Phil Ramone -- includes previously unreleased material by the respective music artists.
Released via Verve, the label that released over a dozen of the late music legend's catalog, the news of set arrives on what would've been the jazz singer's 90th birthday, April 25.
Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalist of the 20th century --with an octave range spanning three octaves, the Newport News, Virginia native won 13 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Art by President Ronald Reagan, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush.
Fitzgerald, who passed away on June 15, 1996 influenced generations of female singers who followed in her footsteps.
Complete track listing for 'We All Love Ella: Celebrating The First Lady of Song'
'A Tisket A Tasket' -- Natalie Cole
'Lullaby of Birdland' -- Chaka Khan
'The Lady is a Tramp' -- Queen Latifah
'Dream a Little Dream of Me' -- Diana Krall and Hank Jones
'Mr. Paganini' -- Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan
'Oh, Lady Be Good' -- Dianne Reeves
'Reaching for the Moon' -- Lizz Wright
'Blues in the Night' -- Ledesi
'Miss Otis Regrets' -- Linda Ronstadt
'Someone to Watch Over Me' -- Gladys Knight
'Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me' -- Etta James
'Angel Eyes' -- k.d. lang
'Too Close for Comfort' -- Michael Buble


Comments: (11)
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By: Bobby on 3/19/2007 10:18PM
I can't wait for this album. Natalie and Chaka had better be ready to tackle "Mr. Paganini." I'm most excited to hear Lizz Wright's version of "Reaching for the Moon."
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By: Atiba on 3/21/2007 1:34AM
Natlie can scat pretty good, which is what you need for Mr Paganini. Don't know about Chaka though.
Dianne Reeves will blow 'Lady Be Good' away, but 'The Lady Is A Tramp' seems far out of Queen's range if she is going to do it any justice.
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By: cherylann on 3/21/2007 3:29PM
These singers are all good but, don't you think we need some of our more seasoned singers to do Ella justice.Like
Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin just to name a few.
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By: Donna on 5/05/2007 7:47AM
I agree that we need the more seasoned singers to honor Ella. How could they not include Patti Austin?
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By: Bruce on 5/05/2007 10:51AM
I totally agree how could they not include Patti Austin, but this album will be one I'm sure to pick up.
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By: SuueqQ on 5/05/2007 10:31AM
One word to describe this album and people chosen, "awesome" cant wait to purchase it.
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By: Tracy on 5/05/2007 1:54PM
Wow one of my favorite Jazz Legends! She's tops! I can't Really Ledisi??! Tnis is great she is going big place. I know she is honored to be on this album that is so fantastic! I agree that Patti Austin should be included on this playlist. Also my favorite singer Amel Larrieux would always be great.
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By: loulou on 5/05/2007 2:03PM
I think the idea is great to honor Ella Fitzgerald, but they should have included DeeDee Bridgewater and Marlena Shaw to name a few, and left off Diana Krall, Linda Ronstaff, Ledesi,and K.D. Lang.
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By: godsdiva418`` on 5/05/2007 4:46PM
This is an album I definitely plan on picking up! For those of you that don't know about Ledisi...please please take an opportunity ...puase right now and google her.........and even then what you find out about her won't be able to give you a good view of just what she is all about......She is the truth!!!Check her out on The Earth Wind and Fire Tribute cd Interpretations
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By: Marcus on 5/05/2007 6:08PM
Great idea! Let's stay with the tradidtion . . .Patti Autin, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett . . . just to name a few.
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