Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 25, 1917 in Newport News, VA

Death

:

June 15, 1996 in Beverly Hills, CA

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Ella Fitzgerald was a legendary American jazz singer who was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. She was the daughter of William Fitzgerald and Temperance "Tempie" Williams, who were unmarried teenagers at the time of her birth. Her parents separated shortly after her birth, and Fitzgerald was raised by her mother and her mother's new partner, Joseph Da Silva. Fitzgerald's early life was marked by poverty and instability. Her mother worked as a laundress, and Fitzgerald often helped her by running errands and doing odd jobs. She attended school sporadically and was frequently truant. When Fitzgerald was 15, her mother died of a heart attack, and she was sent to live with her aunt in Harlem, New York. It was in Harlem that Fitzgerald's love of music began to blossom. She was inspired by the sounds of jazz and blues that she heard in the neighborhood, and she began to sing in local talent shows. In 1934, when she was just 17 years old, Fitzgerald won a talent contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. This victory led to her first professional gig, singing with the Tiny Bradshaw band. Over the next few years, Fitzgerald honed her craft and developed her signature style. She was known for her clear, pure voice and her ability to improvise and scat sing. In 1938, she recorded her first hit song, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which became a million-selling record and launched her career as a solo artist. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Fitzgerald became one of the most popular and beloved singers in the world. She recorded dozens of albums and performed in countless concerts and television shows. Some of her most famous songs include "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "Cheek to Cheek," and "Summertime." Fitzgerald was also known for her collaborations with other jazz greats, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie. She was a regular performer at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and she toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Fitzgerald was also a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights. She was one of the first African American women to perform at the White House, and she refused to perform at segregated venues. She also used her platform to speak out against racism and discrimination. Fitzgerald's talent and hard work were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She won 13 Grammy Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She also received the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Despite her many achievements, Fitzgerald's personal life was not without its challenges. She struggled with alcoholism and had several tumultuous relationships. She was married twice, first to Benny Kornegay and later to Ray Brown, a bassist in her band. Fitzgerald's health began to decline in the 1990s, and she retired from performing in 1993. She died on June 15, 1996, at the age of 79, from complications of diabetes. Her legacy as one of the greatest singers of all time lives on, and her music continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

More....