Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1917-04-25
Death 1996-06-15
Active 1926
Active 1980
Americans
English

Biographical notes:

Ella Fitzgerald (b. April 25, 1917, Newport News, VA–d. June 15, 1996, Beverly Hills, CA) 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 and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

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 left the band in 1942 to start a solo career.

Her musical collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots were some of her most notable acts outside of her solo career. In 1993, Fitzgerald capped off her fifty-nine year career with her last public performance.

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SNAC ID:

Subjects:

  • Singers
  • Singers
  • African American cooking
  • Arrangers (Musicians)
  • Arrangers (Musicians)
  • Jazz
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz vocals
  • Music
  • Music
  • Popular music
  • Popular music
  • Women jazz singers
  • Singers
  • Arrangers (Musicians)
  • Jazz musicians
  • Music
  • Popular music

Occupations:

  • Jazz musicians
  • Singers
  • Singers
  • Performer

Places:

  • 00, US
  • VA, US
  • CA, US
  • United States (as recorded)

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