Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald
Carl Van Vechten · Public domain · source
Name	Ella Fitzgerald
Birth date	April 25, 1917
Birth place	Newport News, Virginia
Death date	June 15, 1996
Death place	Beverly Hills, California
Occupation	Singer
Genre	Jazz, Swing

Ella Fitzgerald was a renowned American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, known for her impressive vocal range and scat singing ability, which was influenced by Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. She was a prominent figure in the Jazz Age, performing with notable musicians such as Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw. Her unique voice and style were also shaped by her experiences at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, where she was discovered by Bobby Alt and Milt Gabler. She went on to collaborate with other famous artists, including Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker.

Early Life and Career

Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, and grew up in Yonkers, New York, where she was raised by her mother, Temperance Fitzgerald, and stepfather, Joseph Da Silva. She began singing at a young age, inspired by Connee Boswell and The Boswell Sisters, and was discovered at the Harlem Opera House by Bobby Alt. She then began performing with Chick Webb and his orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York, where she met other notable musicians, including Lionel Hampton and Benny Carter. Her early career was also influenced by her time at the New York City's African-American theater scene, where she performed alongside Billie Holiday and Ethel Waters.

Music Style and Influences

Ella Fitzgerald's music style was characterized by her impressive vocal range, scat singing ability, and interpretations of the Great American Songbook, which included songs by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin. She was influenced by Jazz and Swing music, as well as Blues and Gospel music, which she was exposed to through her performances with Mahalia Jackson and The Golden Gate Quartet. Her unique style was also shaped by her collaborations with other famous musicians, including Louis Jordan, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. She was particularly known for her scat singing, which was influenced by Cab Calloway and Scatman Crothers, and her ability to improvise, which was inspired by Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.

Discography

Ella Fitzgerald's discography includes over 200 albums, many of which were recorded with Verve Records and produced by Norman Granz. Some of her most notable albums include Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, and Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, which featured songs by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, and Cole Porter. She also recorded albums with other notable musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, and Count Basie, such as Ella and Louis and Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Stage. Her music was also featured in various films, including Pete Kelly's Blues and St. Louis Blues, which starred Nat King Cole and Earth Kitt.

Awards and Legacy

Ella Fitzgerald received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including 13 Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts, which was presented to her by President Ronald Reagan. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush and was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians, including Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and Madeleine Peyroux, who have all cited her as an influence. She was also honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative stamp, which featured a portrait of her by artist Paul Davis.

Personal Life

Ella Fitzgerald's personal life was marked by her struggles with racism and sexism in the music industry, as well as her experiences with poverty and abuse during her childhood. She was married twice, first to Benny Kornegay and then to Ray Brown, with whom she had a son, Ray Brown Jr.. She was also a close friend and collaborator of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin, and was a member of the Rat Pack. Despite her personal struggles, she remained a prominent figure in the music industry until her death in Beverly Hills, California, where she was buried at the Inglewood Park Cemetery alongside other notable musicians, including Nat King Cole and Ray Charles. Category:Jazz musicians