Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! is an album by Ella Fitzgerald released in 1961 on Verve Records. It was recorded live at the Crescendo Club in Los Angeles, California, during a series of performances in 1961. The title comes from a popular 1920s song, and the album captures Fitzgerald's energy and virtuosity in an intimate jazz club setting.
The album was produced by Norman Granz, founder of Verve Records and Fitzgerald's manager, who sought to document her live talent. The recording includes a mix of jazz standards, blues, and Tin Pan Alley songs, with arrangements highlighting Fitzgerald's vocal improvisation. The repertoire includes tracks like "A Night in Tunisia" and "How High the Moon," showcasing her scat singing and melodic interpretation.
Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! was well received by critics and is considered one of Fitzgerald's finest live albums. The lineup of musicians includes Lou Levy on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Stan Levey on drums. The album reflects Fitzgerald's artistic maturity in the early 1960s, solidifying her status as the "First Lady of Song."