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

Ella Fitzgerald Personal Life

After tumultuous teenage years, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Fitzgerald’s rendition of the nursery rhyme “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. After taking over the band when Webb died, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start a solo career that would last the rest of her life.

Her manager was Moe Gale, co-founder of the Savoy, until she turned the rest of her career over to Norman Granz,  who founded Verve Records to produce new records by Fitzgerald. With Verve she recorded some of her more widely noted works, particularly her interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

While Fitzgerald appeared in movies and as a guest on popular television shows in the second half of the twentieth century, her musical collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and The Ink Spots were some of her most notable acts outside of her solo career. These partnerships produced recognizable songs like “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, “Cheek to Cheek, “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”.

In 1993, she ended her fifty-nine year career with her last public performance. Three years later she died at the age of 79, following years of decline in her health. Her accolades included fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Famous Quotes about Ella Fitzgerald

“I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them.” – Ira Gershwin

“She had the most beautiful voice I think I’ve ever heard.” – Barbra Streisand

“Ella Fitzgerald was the greatest singer in the world.” – Frank Sinatra

“Ella’s voice was so pure and honest, it could break your heart.” – Tony Bennett

“Ella Fitzgerald was a master of her craft. She had the ability to connect with her audience like no other performer.” – Diana Krall

“Ella’s voice was like sunshine. It just made you feel good.” – Quincy Jones

“Ella Fitzgerald was the first lady of song, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest singers of all time.” – Michael Bublé

“She had the ability to make any song her own. Her voice was truly one of a kind.” – Natalie Cole

“Ella Fitzgerald’s voice was a gift to the world. She left an indelible mark on music and will forever be remembered as a legend.” – Aretha Franklin

Ella Fitzgerald Awards

Ella Fitzgerald, known as the “First Lady of Song,” received many awards and honors during her lifetime, including:

1. 14 Grammy Awards: Fitzgerald won a total of 13 Grammy Awards during her career, including one for Lifetime Achievement in 1967.
2. Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 1992, Fitzgerald was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in recognition of her contributions to American music.
3. National Medal of Arts: In 1987, Fitzgerald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan in recognition of her contributions to American culture.
4. Kennedy Center Honors: Fitzgerald was one of the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1979, in recognition of her contributions to the performing arts.
5. NAACP Image Award: Fitzgerald was posthumously awarded an NAACP Image Award in 1986, in recognition of her contributions to the world of jazz music and her role as a cultural icon.
6. DownBeat Hall of Fame: Fitzgerald was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1961, in recognition of her status as one of the greatest jazz singers of all time.

Overall, Ella Fitzgerald’s many awards and honors are a testament to her enduring legacy as one of the greatest and most influential singers in the history of jazz music.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald and The Songbooks

Ella Fitzgerald’s famous Songbook series came about in the late 1950s when Fitzgerald’s record label, Verve Records, approached her with the idea of recording a series of albums that paid tribute to the great American songwriters. The Songbook albums were meant to showcase Fitzgerald’s vocal range and improvisational abilities, while also celebrating the rich history of American popular music.

Fitzgerald eagerly accepted the project and began recording the first Songbook album, which was dedicated to the music of Cole Porter. The album was released in 1956 and was an instant success, receiving critical acclaim and becoming one of Fitzgerald’s best-selling albums.

Encouraged by the success of the first album, Fitzgerald and Verve Records went on to record a total of 9 Songbook albums, each dedicated to the music of a different composer or songwriting team. The series included albums dedicated to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, and many others.

The Songbook albums helped to cement Fitzgerald’s reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of American popular music, and they remain a cornerstone of her discography. The albums also helped to elevate the status of American popular music and demonstrate its rich history and enduring legacy.

• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956) (Buddy Bregman)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Song Book (1956) (Bregman)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957) (Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book (1958) (Paul Weston)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book (1959) (Nelson Riddle)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book (1961) (Billy May)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book (1963) (Riddle)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book (1964) (Riddle)
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Antonio Carlos Jobim Song Book (Ella Abraça Jobim) (1981) (Erich Bulling)

Ella Fitzgerald’s impact on jazz music is immeasurable, and her legacy as one of the greatest singers of all time continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. Her virtuosic vocal abilities, innovative approach to scat singing, and unwavering commitment to excellence helped to elevate the status of jazz music during the 20th century and cemented her reputation as an icon of American music. From her early days as a teenager performing at Harlem’s Apollo Theater to her later years as a beloved elder stateswoman of jazz, Fitzgerald’s life and career serve as a testament to the power of music to bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire greatness. She will always be remembered as one of the most important and influential figures in the history of jazz music.