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MISS ELLA JANE FITZGERALD
(1917 - 1996)
One of the greatest singers who ever lived, Ella traveled and sang all around the world for 50 years. In fact, people loved her singing so much, they called her "The First Lady of Song". Ella sang on stage, on the radio, on television, in the movies and in famous concert halls. She even sang to people who didn't speak English, and they loved her, too!
Ella was born in Newport News, Virginia, in on April 24, 1917; she grew up in Yonkers, New York and then in Harlem, a section of New York City. She moved to Los Angeles in 1957, and then to Beverly Hills, where she lived in a pretty Spanish-style house on Whittier Drive. (You can drive by next time you're in the L.A. area).
For a time, Ella was married to Ray Brown, a very famous jazz bass player. Together, they had one son, Ray Brown, Jr., who, like his Mom, is a talented singer. Ray was born in New York, but he grew up in the Los Angeles area, now he lives in Hawaii with his family.
Ella started her singing career when she won a talent contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem back in 1934. (The Apollo is still there, you can go visit and stand on the stage where Ella sang, and look at her picture in the lobby.)
Ella won 13 Grammy Awards for her recordings, plus a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. She also won many other awards, like the Down Beat award, and she had lots of lots of gold records and other honors. She was even honored by President Ronald Reagan with the National Medal of the Arts and by President Gerald Ford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom!
Miss Fitzgerald died from complications of Diabetes on June 15, 1996 - but her music lives on.
To learn more, or to start your own collection of Ella Fitzgerald-related materials, here are some good books that should be available at your local library or at your favorite bookstore:
ELLA FITZGERALD THE TALE OF A VOCAL VIRTUOSA
By Andrea Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, Hyperion Books
A great and glorious picture book with superb illustrations best for children ages 4 8.
ELLA FITZGERALD: FIRST LADY OF SONG
By Katherine E. Krohn
Lerner Publications
A handy and interesting biography recommended for grades 4 8.
UP CLOSE: ELLA FITZGERALD
By Tanya Lee Stone
Viking Juvenile
This is a nice introduction to Miss Fitzgerald, her life and her music.
Suggested for Middle School and High School students.
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