Ella Fitzgerald The First Lady of Song
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The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald’s Jazzy Journey

Ever wonder what it would sound like if an angel decided to take up jazz? Well, wonder no more, because that’s basically what happened when Ella Fitzgerald stepped onto the scene. Born in 1917, Ella wasn’t just a singer – she was a force of nature, a musical phenomenon, and the woman who would go on to be crowned the Queen of Jazz.

With a voice that could melt butter and vocal acrobatics that would make a gymnast jealous, Ella Fitzgerald changed the game. She didn’t just sing songs; she reimagined them, breathed new life into them, and made them entirely her own. Whether she was scatting up a storm or crooning a ballad, Ella had a way of wrapping her voice around a melody that could make you laugh, cry, or just sit there in awe.

But Ella wasn’t just about the music. She was a trailblazer, breaking down racial barriers in a time when that was no easy feat. She was the first African American woman to win a Grammy, and boy, did she win a lot of them – 13 in total, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award.

From her tough beginnings to her rise to stardom, her legendary partnership with Louis Armstrong, and the legacy she left behind, this is the story of Ella Fitzgerald – the First Lady of Song.

Photography: Gilles Petard/Redferns

It isn’t where you came from, its where you’re going that counts.

Ella Fitzgerald

From Tough Times to Tinseltown

It’s the 1930s, and a young girl from Yonkers, New York, is about to change the face of jazz forever. That girl? None other than Ella Fitzgerald. But her road to stardom wasn’t exactly a cakewalk.

Ella had it rough growing up. She lost her mom when she was just a teen and ended up on the streets for a while. But you know what they say – when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in Ella’s case, make some sweet, sweet music.

The Apollo Theater: Where the Magic Began

So there’s Ella, 17 years old, standing on the Apollo Theater stage in Harlem. She was supposed to dance, but got cold feet at the last second. Instead, she belted out a song, and boy, did the crowd go wild! It was like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly right before their eyes.

From that moment on, there was no stopping her. Ella’s voice was like butter – smooth, rich, and oh so satisfying. She could scat like nobody’s business, making up nonsense syllables that somehow made perfect sense when she sang them.

I’m very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it’s a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it’s because it’s something I love to do.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Meets Satchmo: A Match Made in Jazz Heaven

Now, let’s talk about Ella and Louis Armstrong. These two were like peanut butter and jelly – great on their own, but put them together, and BAM! Magic happens.

They first teamed up in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that they really got cooking. Their voices couldn’t have been more different – Ella’s was pure and clear, while Louis had that gravelly growl. But somehow, when they sang together, it was like they were made for each other.

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recording the album “Ella and Louis”, 1952 / Credit: Phil Stern

The only thing better than singing is more singing.

Ella Fitzgerald

Duets That’ll Make You Swoon

Ever heard their version of Dream a Little Dream of Me? If not, drop everything and give it a listen. It’s like musical comfort food. They recorded a bunch of albums together, covering everything from Gershwin to holiday tunes. And their chemistry was off the charts.

But it wasn’t just about the music. Ella and Louis were thick as thieves off-stage too. They supported each other through thick and thin, especially when it came to fighting racism in the music industry.

Cover from the documentary ‘Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things’ / Credit: Eagle Rock Entertainment

The Legacy Lives On

Ella left us in 1996, and Louis had gone way back in 1971. But their music? It’s still kicking around, making people tap their feet and smile all these years later.

Ella Fitzgerald wasn’t called the First Lady of Song for nothing. She broke barriers, set records, and paved the way for generations of singers to come. And her partnership with Louis Armstrong? Well, that’s the stuff of legend.

So next time you’re feeling down, put on some Ella and Louis. I promise it’ll make your day a whole lot brighter. After all, they don’t make ’em like that anymore!

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Ella Fitzgerald

Fun Facts

  1. Ella’s Secret Ambition
    Believe it or not, Ella’s first dream wasn’t to be a singer. As a kid, she wanted to be a dancer! She was a big fan of Bill Bojangles Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers. Who knows? In another life, we might have seen Ella tapping up a storm instead of scatting!
  2. The Memorization Marvel
    Ella had an incredible memory for lyrics. She could hear a song once and memorize it perfectly. This skill came in handy when she forgot the words to Mack the Knife during a live performance in Berlin. She improvised the entire song, even mimicking Louis Armstrong’s voice, and ended up winning a Grammy for it!
  3. Ella’s Vocal Range
    Did you know Ella had a vocal range of three octaves? That’s like being able to hit every note on a piano from middle C to high C.
  4. The Marilyn Monroe Connection
    Here’s a cool tidbit: Marilyn Monroe was a huge fan of Ella. In fact, Marilyn used her influence to help Ella get booked at a popular Hollywood nightclub that usually didn’t allow black performers. Now that’s what I call star power!
  5. Ella’s Stage Fright
    Despite her incredible talent, Ella battled stage fright throughout her entire career. She often said she got butterflies before every performance. Just goes to show that even the greats get nervous!
  6. The Chewing Gum Habit
    Ella had a quirky pre-performance ritual – she always chewed gum to calm her nerves before going on stage. She’d stick the gum on a mirror in her dressing room just before showtime.
  7. Ella the Baseball Fan
    Off-stage, Ella was a big baseball enthusiast. Her favorite team? The Brooklyn Dodgers. She even wrote a song called Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball? in honor of the legendary player.
  8. The Eyesight Struggle
    In her later years, Ella struggled with diabetes that affected her eyesight. But that didn’t stop her from performing. She’d memorize the lyrics and the order of songs in her setlist to keep wowing audiences.
  9. Ella’s Acting Cameo
    While she wasn’t known as an actress, Ella did make a cameo appearance in the 1955 film Pete Kelly’s Blues. She played a singer named Maggie Jackson, which wasn’t much of a stretch for her!
  10. The Nickname Origin
    Ella’s nickname The First Lady of Song was given to her by none other than Bing Crosby. Now that’s a stamp of approval if I ever heard one!
Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe at Tiffany Club, 1954

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