In this vignette about Ella Fitzgerald, we learn about her early career and the formative relationship she had with Chick Webb, who played the role of mentor and guardian, as well as bandleader. Using archival footage, new interviews, the words of those who knew her, as well as her own words, this clip gives you a glimpse into the early years of Ella’s career and the people who helped shape it.

NEW INTERVIEWS FEATURING:

• Norma Miller
• Frankie Manning
• Gertrude Jeanette
• Van Alexander
• Ella’s son, Ray Brown, Jr.

FEATURING STORIES ABOUT:

• Meeting Bardou Ali
• Ella’s Debut at Amateur Night at the Apollo
• Chick’s Wife, Sallye Webb
• How Chick Mentored Ella
• Ella’s brief romance with Louis Jordon, and More!

FEATURING THE VOICES OF:

• Bill Cosby as Chick Webb
• Tyne Daly as Jazz publicist Helen Oakley Dance
• Andy Garcia as Mario Bauzá

THE SAVOY KING is a feature documentary from Floating World Pictures about the Swing-era drummer-bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom.

• Produced/Directed/Written by Jeff Kaufman
• Edited by Jamal El-Amin
• Graphics Wizard: Patrick Connelly
• Post-production Supervisor: Alita Renée Holly

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FRANKIE MANNING (1914-2009)

Frankie Manning was a swing-era dance pioneer, who became a master of the Lindy Hop and ultimately revolutionized it with his innovations, including the lindy air step and synchronized ensemble lindy routine.

He began his career in the 1930s in Harlem, as one of the featured dancers at the Savoy Ballroom, and was soon hired as a contract dancer at the famed Cotton Club. He was friends with some of the greatest jazz musicians and singers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Manning was also a charter member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a dance performance team that performed all over and in movies, like Hellzapoppin’ (1941). His dancing brilliance took him on tours of Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson in 1941

Frankie Manning was interviewed shortly before his death for the film THE SAVOY KING. We are grateful to have some wonderful footage of him to include in the final picture.

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