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.
Fitzgerald began her career with the Chick Webb Orchestra where she produced her first hit singing the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."
In the 1950's she collaborated with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots on some of the worlds greatest stages. 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. Her accolades included fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
You can use this story to initiate conversations about music you like or remember, music that has been meaningful to you. It''s particularly powerful for individuals who have a passion for jazz and big band and ballroom dance.
