A previously unheard live recording by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald is finally set for release almost 60 years after it was recorded.
Live at Falkoner Theatre Copenhagen 6th February 1966 will be released worldwide on 24 July 2026 via Gearbox Records in partnership with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. The album will be available on vinyl, CD and digital platforms.
The discovery gives jazz fans a rare opportunity to hear a lost performance from one of the most celebrated vocalists in music history during the peak of her powers.
Rare recording was rescued from a private archive
The concert was originally recorded for a Danmarks Radio broadcast on 6 February 1966 by producers Per Møller Hansen and Børge Roger Henrichsen.
According to Gearbox Records, the mono tape spent decades hidden away in a private archive and narrowly escaped destruction before being recovered and restored by the label’s analogue audio specialists.
The performance took place just one day before Fitzgerald recorded what would later become the acclaimed The Stockholm Concert, 1966, making it an important snapshot of a pivotal moment in her career.
Ella Fitzgerald backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra
On the night, Fitzgerald performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, although Duke Ellington himself was not present.
Pianist Jimmy Jones stepped in as musical director, supported by bassist Joe Comfort and drummer Gus Johnson.
In the album’s liner notes, jazz historian Syd Schwartz argues that the larger ensemble inspired a particularly energetic performance from Fitzgerald.
“Appeared more lively and less mechanical than at her concerts in Copenhagen in recent years with just a trio.”
The observation was originally attributed to producer Børge Roger Henrichsen, who closely followed Fitzgerald’s performances throughout the period.
Why Denmark held a special place in Fitzgerald’s life
The release also highlights Fitzgerald’s close relationship with Denmark.
She owned an apartment in the country and frequently spent time there during her international touring schedule.
Schwartz notes that Denmark became an important refuge for many Black American jazz musicians during the 1950s and 1960s, offering opportunities and respect that were often harder to find at home.
According to the liner notes, the country provided:
“A degree of respect the United States too often denied them.”
That connection appears to have contributed to the relaxed and confident atmosphere captured throughout the recording.
How High The Moon preview released ahead of album launch
To coincide with the announcement, Gearbox has released Fitzgerald’s performance of How High The Moon, one of her signature songs and a showcase for her legendary scat singing.
The album’s 10-track setlist also includes interpretations of jazz standards such as:
- Satin Doll
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Mack The Knife
- How High The Moon
The collection has been mastered by Caspar Sutton-Jones and is available for pre-order ahead of its July release.
A major archival discovery for jazz fans
While numerous live recordings from Fitzgerald’s career have surfaced over the years, genuinely unreleased material from this period remains relatively rare.
The release of Live at Falkoner Theatre Copenhagen 6th February 1966 offers listeners a fresh perspective on one of the greatest jazz singers of all time, capturing a performance that was almost lost forever.
