Contents
Ella Fitzgerald
Turning jazz singing and scat improvisation into a form of effortless virtuosity.
A-Tisket, A-Tasket · Cole Porter Song Book
- Born
- 25 April 1917
- Birthplace
- Newport News, Virginia, United States
- Died
- 15 June 1996
More people
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer celebrated for precise pitch, rhythmic agility and a wide vocal range. Her recordings joined spontaneous improvisation with enduring interpretations of popular standards.
Early life
Yonkers upbringing
Moved to New York as a child with her mother.
Apollo contest
Won an amateur singing competition at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1934.
Career
- 1935
Chick Webb’s band
Joined the drummer’s orchestra as its singer.
- 1939
Bandleader
Took over leadership after Webb died.
- 1950s–1960s
International solo career
Worked with manager Norman Granz on tours and major recording projects.
Selected work
A-Tisket, A-Tasket
A nursery-rhyme adaptation became her breakthrough hit.
Cole Porter Song Book
Opened her influential series devoted to major American songwriters.
Ella in Berlin
Live album including an improvised Mack the Knife.
Beyond work
Family
Adopted a son, Ray Brown Jr., with bassist Ray Brown.
Giving back
Established a charitable foundation supporting education and assistance to people in need.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Carl Van Vechten. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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