Les Spann on a Hoyer guitar with Ella Fitzgerald, Sweden 1963

[gitman]

That came as a surprise : Les Span with the Tommy Flanagan Trio backing Ella in 1963 and he's playing a german-made HOYER archtop with what looks like a Charlie Christian type pickup .... who woulda thunk ?!

[ThatRhythmMan]

Great video! Looks like they have the listed personnel all completely wrong in the description.


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[gitman]

Great video! Looks like they have the listed personnel all completely wrong in the description.


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I did recognize Tommy Flanagan, Ella and him were together at the time afaik….

[ThatRhythmMan]

I did recognize Tommy Flanagan, Ella and him were together at the time afaik….

These are the credits listed in the video’s description.




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[gitman]

These are the credits listed in the video’s description.




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Watch it until END and they show the personal of this particular performance. Whoever was cutting this clip didn't pay attention....
Anything by Ella is simply fabulous but the point of interest in THIS clip is the guitarist and his very unique instrument - a rare bird if there ever was one !

[David B]

The personnel in this particular performance are:
Tommy Flanagan - piano (the first of his two stints backing Fitzgerald, 1962-65 and 1968-78)
Les Spann - guitar
Jim Hughart - bass
Gus Johnson - drums

The personnel listing in the end credits roll over a 1957 performance with a totally different group of Don Abney, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Papa Jo Jones.

[wintermoon]

I guess he didn't want to bring his Guild overseas, like Quentin Warren didn't travel w his new custom made L-5 around then when he was working w Jimmy Smith in Europe and used a Strat on that tour.
I shoulda bought that L-5 when it came up for sale at Mandolin Brothers 30 yrs ago.
Oh well....