Page "Ella Fitzgerald" Paragraph 27

The surprise success of the 1972 album Jazz at Santa Monica Civic ' 72 led Granz to found Pablo Records, his first record label since the sale of Verve.

Fitzgerald recorded some 20 albums for the label.

Ella in London recorded live in 1974 with pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Keter Betts and drummer Bobby Durham, was considered by many to be some of her best work.

The following year she again performed with Joe Pass on German television station NDR in Hamburg.

Her years with Pablo Records also documented the decline in her voice.

" She frequently used shorter, stabbing phrases, and her voice was harder, with a wider vibrato ", one biographer wrote.

Plagued by health problems, Fitzgerald made her last recording in 1991 and her last public performances in 1993.