Let’s go back to the good ol’ days. When men were gentlemen, and they wore nice suits and ties. And women were ladies, dressed up to the nines. And gentlemen cared for their ladies. And there was no foul talk amongst them. When you see the way Nat King Cole sings to Ella, you’ll know what I mean.
But who I am really alluding to? Why, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald, two of the greatest entertainters of the 20th century. Davis had to fight the odds throughout his long career. Born to a Catholic mother and a Protestant father, he eventually converted to Judaism. He called himself a one-eyed, Negro Jew (he lost an eye in a car accident). So Sammy had it tough. I get incensed with Frank Sinatra when he continually pays him out on stage when performing with the Rat Pack—Frank was the rat!
But Sammy took his opportunities when they came his way. When Ed Sullivan asked him onto his show to do a number with Ella, Sammy was in! They are a great pair, and they sing one of Georgey Gershwin’s gems, ‘’S wonderful’, with ultimate flair. Sammy was the gentleman all the way, giving way to his lady of song. Ella’s legendary vibrato was on display here and there. Sammy was near fawning on his idol during the song. ‘A life-long ambition!’ he screamed out at the close of the song, i.e. he had never before sung with Ella. They close out the song with some unforgettable scatting. Ella was the Queen of Scat, but it’s Sammy who surprised me—his scatting was superb.
When Ed came on at the end to thank his guests, he echoed my sentiments precisely: ‘Ya know, this is one of the great . . . a lot of youngsters here tonight, and when these youngsters here grow up, and the people at home can say they saw the two of you together, they heard the two of you together sing ‘’S Wonderful’ . . . See what I mean?
Ralph's World of Music 