Story: Ella Fitzgerald
Summary: 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. 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.
Page: 1 Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald circa 1935
Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer. She began singing gospel music in her church. But she always loved and admired the great jazz performers of her time. <break time="2s"/> She made her own debut when she was only 17 years old at an amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Page: 2 Mack the Knife
Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra
When Ella sang Mack the Knife, it was already a well known and popular song. It had been recorded by some of the greatest singers of the day, even reaching the top of the charts in 1959 by Bobby Darin.
Page: 3 Ella Fitzgerald Sings Mack the Knife
Ella Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald also recorded "Mack the Knife" in Berlin the following year and won an Emmy award for it. <break time="2s"/> In this version from Stockholm Sweden, she takes on the persona of the killer, and claims the song for herself, warning her rivals that she is back in town.
Page: 8 Talking about Ella, Mack the Knife and Jazz
Ella sings Mack the Knife
What would you like to talk about.