Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald (1940)

Ella Fitzgerald in September 1947

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald 1968

Ella-Fitzgerald-in-Helsinki-1963

Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, often referred to as the "First Lady of Song," the "Queen of Jazz," and "Lady Ella." She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

Early Life

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, but was raised in Yonkers, New York, after her parents separated. Fitzgerald was passionate about dancing and singing from a young age, though she faced numerous challenges, including the death of her mother in 1932. This event plunged Fitzgerald into a difficult period, during which she worked odd jobs and was temporarily homeless.

Career

Fitzgerald's career began to take off in 1934 when she won an amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Her performance caught the attention of bandleader Chick Webb, who hired her to sing with his orchestra. After Webb's death in 1939, Fitzgerald became the bandleader until she began her solo career in 1942.

Throughout her career, Fitzgerald was known for her collaborations with other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. She was celebrated for her interpretations of the Great American Songbook, with albums dedicated to the works of Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and Irving Berlin, among others.

Fitzgerald's ability to mimic instrumental sounds helped popularize the vocal improvisation of scat singing, which became one of her trademarks. Her extensive discography includes over 200 albums and some 2,000 songs.

Legacy

Ella Fitzgerald's impact on jazz and American music is immeasurable. She received numerous awards throughout her career, including 13 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Fitzgerald's work has influenced a wide range of artists across various genres, and her recordings continue to be widely popular.

Fitzgerald struggled with health issues in her later years and died on June 15, 1996, at the age of 79. Her legacy lives on through her music, and she remains a pivotal figure in the history of jazz.

Discography Highlights

• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Song Book (1956)
• Ella and Louis (1956, with Louis Armstrong)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)
• Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife (1960)

Awards and Honors

• Multiple Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
• National Medal of Arts (1987)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992)

See Also

• Jazz
• Scat singing
• Great American Songbook
• Apollo Theater