FITZGERALD, ELLA - GREAT WOMEN OF SONG: ELLA FITZGERALD

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American singer, songwriter, and composer. She was known for her vocal range, precise diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and improvisational ability, particularly in scat singing. Fitzgerald began her professional career with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the United States and frequently at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Her recording of the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" contributed to her and Webb's national recognition. After Webb's death in 1939, she led the orchestra for a period before beginning a solo career in 1942. Her early management was handled by Moe Gale, co-founder of the Savoy, and later by Norman Granz, who founded Verve Records to produce her recordings. With Verve, she released a number of notable albums, including interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Fitzgerald also appeared in films and on television throughout her career. She collaborated with musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots, producing songs including "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)". She performed publicly for nearly 60 years, giving her final performance in 1993. Fitzgerald died in 1996 at the age of 79. Her awards included 14 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, the NAACP's inaugural President's Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Studio albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954) Songs from Pete Kelly's Blues (1955, with Peggy Lee) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956) Ella and Louis (1956, with Louis Armstrong) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Song Book (1956) Ella and Louis Again (1957, with Louis Armstrong) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957, with Duke Ellington) Like Someone in Love (1957) One O'Clock Jump (1957, with Count Basie and Joe Williams) Porgy and Bess (1957) Ella Swings Lightly (1958) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book (1958) Hello, Love (1959) Get Happy! (1959) Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers (1959) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book (1959) Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (1960) Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs from the Soundtrack of "Let No Man Write My Epitaph" (1960) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book (1961) Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! (1961) Rhythm Is My Business (1962) Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson (1962) Ella Swings Gently with Nelson (1962) Ella Sings Broadway (1963) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book (1963) Ella and Basie! (1963, with Count Basie) These Are the Blues (1963) Hello, Dolly! (1964) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book (1964) Ella at Duke's Place (1965, with Duke Ellington) Whisper Not (1966) Brighten the Corner (1967) Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas (1967) 30 by Ella (1968) Misty Blue (1968) Ella (1969) Things Ain't What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It) (1970) Ella Loves Cole (1972) Take Love Easy (1973, with Joe Pass) Ella and Oscar (1975) Fitzgerald and Pass... Again (1976, with Joe Pass) Lady Time (1978) Fine and Mellow (1979) A Classy Pair (1979, with Count Basie) Ella Abraça Jobim (1981) The Best Is Yet to Come (1982) Speak Love (1983, with Joe Pass) Nice Work If You Can Get It (1983, with André Previn) Easy Living (1986, with Joe Pass) All That Jazz (1990) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.