ENDEIT

Pianists · 1917–1996

Ella Fitzgerald

American jazz singer (1917–1996)

  • piano
  • voice
Born
25 April 1917
Newport News
Died
15 August 1996
Beverly Hills
Active
1934–1993
Record labels
Verve Records, Capitol Records, Decca

Biography

Ella Fitzgerald was a jazz musician who played piano and voice. Ella Fitzgerald was born on 25 April 1917 in Newport News and died on 15 August 1996 in Beverly Hills. The music is usually filed under traditional pop, soul and swing. Record labels: Verve Records, Capitol Records and Decca. Honours include Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1967), Kennedy Center Honors (1979) and Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (1982).

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz vocalist, songwriter and composer, 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. After a tumultuous adolescence, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. After taking over the band when Webb died in 1939, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start her solo career.

Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Awards

  • 1967 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 1979 Kennedy Center Honors
  • 1982 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year
  • 1985 NEA Jazz Masters
  • 1992 Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • 1995 National Women's Hall of Fame
  • Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
  • National Medal of Arts
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Los Angeles Times Women of the Year Silver Cup
  • honorary doctorate from Princeton University
  • Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

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Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Ella Fitzgerald play?

Ella Fitzgerald is known for playing piano and voice.

When and where was Ella Fitzgerald born?

Ella Fitzgerald was born 25 April 1917 in Newport News.

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.