Ella Fitzgerald Headshot

Ella Fitzgerald

Date of Death: June 15, 1996 (78)

Birth Place: Newport News, VA, USA

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Ella Fitzgerald BIO

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer, sometimes 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, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

After a tumultuous adolescence, 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. Her 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 her solo career.

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 some of her best-known songs such as "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, after a career of nearly 60 years, she gave her last public performance. Three years later, she died at the age of 79 after years of declining health. Her accolades included fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Edmonton Jazz Festival Society To Present JazzFest Marque Winspear Event


Discover the fusion of Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the JazzFest Marque Winspear Event.

Rick Bogart Trio Returns To Le Rivage


The Rick Bogart Trio, a renowned jazz ensemble, is celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month with a special live performance this Saturday, April 20, at Le Rivage, the renowned jazz venue located at 340 W. 46th Street in New York City beginning at 8:30pm.

Review: PinkPantheress at Brooklyn Paramount


What did our critic think of PINKPANTHERESS AT BROOKLYN PARAMOUNT at Brooklyn Paramount?

Carmel Symphony Orchestra's Antonia Bennett Performance Moves to August's Carmel Jazz Fest


 The Carmel Symphony Orchestra has announced that Antonia Bennett (Tony Bennett's daughter) has been invited to be the headliner for the 2nd Annual Carmel Jazz Festival on August 9 at the Palladium.  

National Black Theatre And The Apollo Announce Renewal Of THE GATHERING: A COLLECTIVE SONIC RING SHOUT


Explore the renewed collaboration between the National Black Theatre and The Apollo, as they announce the return of THE GATHERING: A COLLECTIVE SONIC RING SHOUT, a transcendent theatrical experience.

LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel to Receive UCLA Medal


LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel will receive the UCLA Medal. Learn more about Dudamel.

Photos: TONY BENNETT: A LIFE WELL LIVED Exhibition Open Ahead of Auction


Julien’s Auctions opened today its exhibition of Tony Bennett: A Life Well Lived, featuring exceptional highlights of their two-day auction event honoring the music and art of the twenty-time GRAMMY Award-Winning maestro, artist and beloved New Yorker. See the photos below!

Boyz II Men, Trey Anastasio & More Join Tanglewood 2024 Popular Artist Series


The Tanglewood Popular Artist Series will welcome three exciting new guest artists to the blockbuster lineup in the Koussevitzky Music Shed. See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Musical Benefit For St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Comes to the Triad in April


Triad Theater and Laura Slutzsky will present a musical benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, co-hosted by Laura Slutsky and Sue Matsuki, featuring special guest Lina Koutrakos.

Interview: Marilyn Maye at 54 Below: Still Going Strong at 96!


Marilyn Maye celebrates 96 years of song! Celebrate the iconic singer's birthday by catching one of her string of shows with dates April 9-12, 14, & 16-20, and May 2, 5, & 6, 2024. Read a conversation with Maye about the show, and get your tickets today!

Emmy Meli Releases New Track 'Silence'


Emmy Meli has released “Silence” – a track that speaks to those of us who struggle to quiet our thoughts. Alongside the track release, Emmy has announced her debut EP Hello Stranger coming May 10!

Interview: Theatre Life with the Creative Team of PENELOPE


Today’s subjects Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz are currently living their theatre lives as the creative team for the DC premeire of Signature Theatre’s latest piece of musical greatness Penelope. The Greek myth inspired solo performer musical runs through April 28th in Signature’s ARK space.

Review: Linda Purl and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra Hit the Right Notes at Birdland


This reviewer was thrilled with the compelling performance of Linda Purl and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra on April 1st at Birdland Jazz Club.

REALLY BIG SHOW Opens at MUSE/IQUE This Month


MUSE/IQUE’s next show in their 2024 season, themed Make Some Noise: Music and Stories of American Defiance and Hope, is Really Big Show: How Ed Sullivan Changed America Every Sunday Night.

Take 6 and VoiceJam To Perform Live At Walton Arts Center This Month


Experience an unforgettable weekend of a cappella music at the Walton Arts Center on April 12-13, 2024. Don't miss this aca-amazing event featuring top-notch performances.

See Alice Ripley and John McDaniel, JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY & More at Birdland in April


Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Pat Boone's Gold Label Set to Release Individual Songs from 1950s Television Series 'The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom'


Legendary entertainer and musician Pat Boone has announced that Pat Boone's Gold Label is releasing to all streaming and download services individual performances sourced from episodes of 'The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom' digitized and preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, including Boone's hits like 'Love Letters in the Sand' and 'April Love'.

Helena Hallberg Releases Debut LP 'EPITHET'


Nashville-based, Swedish/Swiss singer-songwriter, Helena Hallberg, has released her debut LP, Epithet. Epithet features elements of female empowerment, multiculturalism, and self-discovery, while also tackling tougher subjects like Christian nationalism and disordered eating.

Marilyn Maye, Abby Mueller And More Take the Stage Next Month At 54 Below


Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Stella Cole, Chad LB Quartet, and More Take the Stage At Birdland In April


Get all the details about the upcoming jazz programming at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater running April 1st - April 14th.

Ella Fitzgerald FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ella Fitzgerald been in?

Ella Fitzgerald has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Ella Fitzgerald been in?

Ella Fitzgerald has not appeared in the West End

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