10 Remarkable facts about Ella Fitzgerald

10 Remarkable facts about Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald was an American iconic songstress who was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia, United States. She was referred to as the “First Lady of song” and “Queen of Jazz” because of her remarkable talent in jazz music. Ella was known for her scat singing, clear tone, timing, intonation, phrasing and “horn-like” improvisational ability. She was also able to imitate any instrument in the Orchestra. She worked with several jazz legends artists like Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole. Ella became one of the best-selling jazz vocal recordings artists in history and she also won 14 Grammy Awards.

Unfortunately, Ella’s career was cut shot when she started suffering from heart complications and diabetes which caused the amputation of both her legs below the knees. She later on died from stroke on June 15, 1996 and was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. Ella is still celebrated for her impact in the music industry up to today. Therefore, here are 10 important facts you need to know about the Iconic singer.

1. She was the first African-American woman to win several Grammy Awards

The very first Grammy Awards ceremony that happened in 1958, announced Ella as the winner of two awards: one for Best Jazz Performance, Soloist for Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook, and for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook. She then became the first African- American woman to win the Grammy Awards and since then Ella has won 12 other Grammy Awards. Ella was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967.

2. She made her first appearance at the Apollo Theater during Amateur Night

A picture of Ella Fitzgerald by Matt Gotlieb-Wikimedia

In 1934 Ella got the chance to make her first performance in an Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater using some little pocket change from the tips she made from passersby when she performed for them in the early 1930s. She wanted to perform as a dancer at the Apollo Theater but there was stiff competition in the dancing sector, so she decided to sing instead. Ella sang Hoagy Carmichael’s “Judy” and “The Object of My Affection.” She really fascinated the audience with her first performance on stage. She later won and was given a prize of $25.

3. She took part in criminal activities as a teenager

Ella faced a lot of difficulties while growing up. She lived with her stepfather who abused her frequently and it even continued when her mother died in 1992. She later moved in with her aunty to escape her abusive father, and it was at this particular time that her grades started dropping and she could even skip school sometimes. Ella started seeking means of survival and she started working for a mafia numbers runner and looking out for the police at a local brothel. These illegal behaviours eventually landed her straight in the orphanage where she was raised.

4. Ella’s first breakthrough hit was a nursery rhyme

A picture of Ella Fitzgerald performing by Anefo-Wikimedia

After her successful performance at the Apollo Theatre, Ella was given a chance to perform with the Tiny Bradshaw band for only a week. Later on, she was introduced to Chick Webb who was reluctant to sign her because she was gawky and unkempt but he outlooked these flaws and offered her a chance to test with his band at a dance at Yale University. Ella then released several hit recordings such as “Love and Kisses” but it was one of her famous songs “A Tisket, A-Tasket” which is simply a playful version of a nursery rhyme that captured the audience’s attention. The 1938 version of the nursery rhyme brought Ella’s breakthrough in her career because it sold 1 million copies, and stayed on the pop charts for 17 weeks.

5. Marilyn Monroe helped grow her career.

A picture of Marylyn Monroe by Studio Publicity-Wikimedia

Ella was helped by Monroe at some point in her career. She enabled Ella to play at the Mocambo, a popular nightclub in the 50s, by calling the owner and requesting him to book Ella immediately. In return, she said she will take a front table every night, and because of Marylyn’s status the owner agreed since he knew she will make the press go wild. After that opportunity, Ella never played at small jazz clubs again. Ella told Ms Magazine that she owes Marilyn Monroe a very huge debt.

6. She was featured in films and television shows

Ella’s contribution to films was not just to the soundtracks, as she also acted in a number of films: Abbott and Costello’s film Ride ‘Em Cowboy in 1942. She made guest appearances on television shows, singing on The Carol Burnett show, The Frank Sinatra Show, The Andy William Sow and so many other shows. Ella also appeared in television commercials such as her memorable ad for Memorex and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Her very final commercial was the commercial campaign for American Express.

7. Ella had a charitable foundation

A statue of Ella Fitzgerald by Joachim-Wikimedia

Ella created her foundation: The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation in 1993 with the aim of helping people of all races, beliefs and cultures. She wanted to foster a love of reading and a love of music as a reward for their lives. She also wanted to offer assistance to the disadvantaged people in the community so that they could live better-quality life. These include providing education and other opportunities to children, providing food, shelter and clothing, providing healthcare, and research on diabetes, vision and heart problems. The Board members of the foundation seek to continue making Ella’s charitable goals attained.

8. She was a jazz fun since she was young

Ella was a jazz fan from a very young age although she grew up aspiring to be a dancer. She idolized so many jazz artists like Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and Conne Boswell of the Boswell Sisters. Ella even tried to sound just like Connie Boswell of the Boswell sisters when her mother brought one of her records which she really fell in love with it. Later on, Ella became an African- American jazz singer and she was an icon singer of jazz music. She was even referred to as the “First Lady of Song”, and “Queen of Jazz.” She recorded over 200 albums and around 2000 songs. This makes her one of the most recorded women in history.

9. Her last performance was at Carnegie Hall in New York

President Reagan presenting the National Medal of Arts to Ella Fitzgerald at a Luncheon in East Room. Photo by the Whitehouse-Wikimedia

The Carnegie is a National Historic Landmark concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York. It was founded in 1891 and it is at 881 Seventh Avenue, taking up the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56^th and 57^th streets. It is one of the honoured venues worldwide used for both classical and popular music. It was at this prestigious place that Ella performed last on June 27, 1991, marking her 26^th time performing at Carnegie Hall. She had also recorded more than 200 albums which were all performed at this hall.

10. She was amputated in both her legs.

Later in her life, Ella suffered from diabetes which had so many complications for many years. Between the years 1985 and 1990, Ella had been hospitalized for respiratory problems, congestive heart failure and exhaustion. Diabetes affected her eyesight and also caused the amputation of both her legs below the knee in 1993. It was at this point she never performed again and never fully recovered from the surgery that she underwent. On June 15, 1996, she passed on in her house. She was buried privately at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

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