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Fitzgerald, a legendary Black jazz singer, was coming off a series of international concert tours and the success of her 1960 live album "Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife," which went on to sell . Did ella Fitzgerald have any drug addictions? - Answers "She frequently used shorter, stabbing phrases, and her voice was harder, with a wider vibrato", one biographer wrote. [11] This seemingly swift change in her circumstances, reinforced by what Fitzgerald biographer Stuart Nicholson describes as rumors of "ill treatment" by her stepfather, leaves him to speculate that Da Silva might have abused her. Possibly Fitzgerald's greatest unrealized collaboration (in terms of popular music) was a studio or live album with Frank Sinatra. . Her grades dropped dramatically, and she frequently skipped school. December 2015. $73.5K - $131K. Ella Fitzgerald Vinyl Records for sale | eBay If the conditions were not met shows were cancelled. Ella Fitzgerald's best songs sometimes weren't "her" songs at all. Ella Fitzgerald website. Her debut will be a duet with dad Ray Brown Jr. singing Ella's first hit, "Tisket-A-Tasket". [89], In 2019, Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things, a documentary by Leslie Woodhead, was released in the UK. Ella Fitzgerald, November 1946. 15 June 1996 (aged 79) Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 - June 15, 1996) was an American jazz vocalist with a vocal range spanning three octaves (D3 to D6). (1947) was similarly popular and increased her reputation as one of the leading jazz vocalists.[31]. United Kingdom. Home Jazz News Austin's album, For Ella (2002) features 11 songs most immediately associated with Fitzgerald, and a twelfth song, "Hearing Ella Sing" is Austin's tribute to Fitzgerald. I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them, Ira Gershwin once remarked. November 2015. The career history and archival material from Fitzgerald's long career are housed in the Archives Center at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, while her personal music arrangements are at the Library of Congress. Fitzgerald was a great student. Their apartment was in a mixed neighborhood, where Ella made friends easily. records, as well as sheet music with her grandmother's picture on the cover, and old newspaper clippings. While on tour, Fitzgerald fell in love with bassist, Ray Brown; the two eventually married, adopted a son, and named him Ray Jr. Photo Credit:Ella Fitzgerald, November 1946. Gleason, Holly. Fitzgerald also faced racial discrimination while on tour. [83] Fitzgerald is also referred to in the 1976 Stevie Wonder hit "Sir Duke" from his album Songs in the Key of Life, and the song "I Love Being Here With You", written by Peggy Lee and Bill Schluger. She became an international legend during a career that spanned some six decades. After a private memorial service, traffic on the freeway was stopped to let her funeral procession pass through. Haylee, grand-daughter of Ella Fitzgerald, signed . Taylor & Francis. [12] She never talked publicly about this time in her life. Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia to mother, Temperance (Tempie) Henry and father, William Fitzgerald. Living there was even more unbearable, as she suffered beatings at the hands of her caretakers. Sinatra gave her his dressing-room on A Man and His Music and couldn't do enough for her." Twitter. By HENRY WEINSTEIN. On Saturday, June 15th, 1996, an era in jazz singing came to an end, with the death of Ella Fitzgerald at her home in California. She left Decca, and Granz, now her manager, created Verve Records around her. She was an unusual woman a little ahead of her times. Ella had extraordinary vocal skills from the time she . In the late 1980s Brown toured the Pacific Northwest, She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. Granddaughter of Ella Fitzgerald signs first recording contract singing a duet of famous Fitzgerald song with dad Ray Brown Jr. on his upcoming all-star "Friends & Family" duets-style CD. [35], Fitzgerald was still performing at Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) concerts by 1955. By the end of her career, she had recorded 2,000 songs, earned fourteen Grammy awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992). She never fully recovered from the surgery, and afterward, was rarely able to perform. TIMES STAFF WRITER. Ella Fitzgerald on Amazon Music [citation needed]. In 1987, United States President Ronald Reagan awarded Ella the National Medal of Arts. In the mid-1940s, she began singing for Jazz at the Philharmonic, a concert series started by her manager, Norman Granz. As the effects from her diabetes worsened, 76-year-old Ella experienced severe circulatory problems and was forced to have both of her legs amputated below the knees. REDUX 026: Miles Davis. [78], Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy Awards,[79] and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967. Ella Fitzgerald Biography. Biography.com Website. Sign in to view read count. Music History 101 :: Ella Fitzgerald | Pastimes for a Lifetime Biography.com Editors. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Ronald Reagan in 1987. Ella Fitzgerald's Granddaughter Signs First Recording Contract Ella Fitzgerald had one adopted son. 153 ratings22 reviews. She . 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 accompanist Tommy Flanagan affectionately remembered Fitzgerald on his album Lady be Good For Ella (1994). ELMORE, Lewis Paris, Son of P. L. & I. M. Elmore, Born and Died Aug 8, 1916 (buried next to Frank and Lura Paris, perhaps their grandson) ENO, Joe Carl, Feb 15, 1940 - Mar 14, 1940 Does Ella Fitzgerald have grandchildren? - AnswersAll Ella Fitzgerald - EllaFitzgerald ErikaWhite JazzHistory The Surprisingly Quiet Ella Fitzgerald. A wreath of white flowers stood next to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a marquee outside the Hollywood Bowl theater read, Ella, we will miss you.. Birth place. Ella Fitzgerald | Louis Armstrong's Jazzamatazz [2] She was the daughter of William Fitzgerald and Temperance "Tempie" Henry, both described as "mulatto" in the 1920 census. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. Outside of the arts, Ella had a deep concern for child welfare. For more information contact All About Jazz. Fitzgerald and Brown divorced in 1953, due to the various career pressures both were experiencing at the time, though they would continue to perform together. When she got into the band, she was dedicated to her musicShe was a lonely girl around New York, just kept herself to herself, for the gig. [70], Bill Reed, author of Hot from Harlem: Twelve African American Entertainers, referred to Fitzgerald as the "Civil Rights Crusader", facing discrimination throughout her career. ella fitzgerald granddaughter alice oven drawing with parts . Never one to complain, Ella later reflected on her most difficult years with an appreciation for how they helped her to mature. During this time, she married Benny Kornegay, a local dockworker, but annulled the marriage two years later. "I just want to smell the air, listen to the birds and hear Alice laugh," she said. https://www.biography.com/musician/ella-fitzgerald, Janet Yellen: The Progress of Women and Minorities in the Field of Economics, Stacey Abrams: Changing the Trajectory of Protecting Peoples Voices and Votes, Chronicles of American Women: Your History Makers, Women Writing History: A Coronavirus Journaling Project, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC, Learning Resources on Women's Political Participation. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. Ella Fitzgerald - Youtube Music The press carried rumors that she would never be able to sing again, but Ella proved them wrong. Haylee, grand-daughter of Ella Fitzgerald, signed her first recording contract with SRI Jazz. Although a contemporary Australian press report[33] quoted an Australian Pan-Am spokesperson who denied that the incident was racially based, Fitzgerald, Henry, Lewis and Granz filed a civil suit for racial discrimination against Pan-Am in December 1954[34] and in a 1970 television interview Fitzgerald confirmed that they had won the suit and received what she described as a "nice settlement". I realized then that there was more to music than bop. In 1991, she gave her final concert at New Yorks renowned Carnegie Hall. During this time, Ella enjoyed sitting outside in her backyard, and spending time with Ray, Jr. and her granddaughter Alice. Died. Ella Fitzgerald - The Best Woman That Sang Jazz Music | uDiscover Music She sang incredible jazz songs . Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 - June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella. She was called the "First Lady of Song." In a career that spanned 60 years, she became a music legend all over the world. [58], Fitzgerald suffered from diabetes for several years of her later life, which had led to numerous complications. Her material at this time represented a departure from her typical jazz repertoire. "Celebrating 100 Years of Song", It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), (If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini), Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book, Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, List of awards received by Ella Fitzgerald, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Medal of Honor Award, African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County, "Ella Fitzgerald, the Voice of Jazz, Dies at 79", "Ward of the State; The Gap in Ella Fitzgerald's Life", "Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb: Jazz's Odd Couple", "Buck Ram; Platters Mentor Wrote String of 1950s Hits", National Archives and Records Administration, "Ella Fitzgerald Sues Airline for Discrimination (1970)", "Sir Johnny up there with the Count and the Duke", "Ella on Special 1980 Duet with Karen Carpenter", "Ella Fitzgerald For Kentucky Fried Chicken", "Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things | Jazz Journal", "Ella Fitzgerald Had Both Legs Amputated", "Ella Fitzgerald, Jazz's First Lady of Song, Dies", "Post Civil War: Freedmen and Civil Rights", "Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medals of Freedom | The American Presidency Project", "Calendar & Events: Spring Sing: Gershwin Award", "Half a Century of Song with the Great 'Ella', "Partial List of Harvard Honorary Degrees", "Rod Stewart: I Thought Christmas Album Was 'Beneath Me', "Google celebrates Ella Fitzgerald with doodle on 96th birthday", "Ella Fitzgerald celebrated in Google Doodle; 'The Queen of Jazz' Ella Fitzgearld is commemorated with a Google Doodle on what would have been her 96th birthday", "Ella at 100, Ella Fitzgerald The First Lady of Song", Discography of American Historical Recordings, Listen to Big Band Serenade podcast, episode 6, Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (documentary), Miss Ella Fitzgerald & Mr Gordon Jenkins Invite You to Listen and Relax, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs from "Let No Man Write My Epitaph", Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book, Things Ain't What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It), Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport, Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall, The Complete Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong on Verve, Jukebox Ella: The Complete Verve Singles, Vol. The Surprisingly Quiet Ella Fitzgerald - NYTimes.com The show was so successful that Webb offered to pay Fitzgerald to sing with the band at Harlems Savoy Ballroom. In 1955, Granz created Verve Records for Fitzgerald to expand her repertoire from bebop to other genres of music. Ella Fitzgerald - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help Accessed March 18, 2022. https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/ella-fitzgerald. Ella Fitzgerald. National Womens History Museum. On March 15, 1955, Ella Fitzgerald opened her initial engagement at the Mocambo nightclub in Hollywood,[36][37] after Marilyn Monroe lobbied the owner for the booking. For Capitol she recorded Brighten the Corner, an album of hymns, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas, an album of traditional Christmas carols, Misty Blue, a country and western-influenced album, and 30 by Ella, a series of six medleys that fulfilled her obligations for the label. ella fitzgerald granddaughter aliceoven drawing with parts. Her debut will be a duet with dad Ray Brown Jr. singing Ella's first hit, Tisket-A-Tasket". Features Ella Fitzgerald in two distinct performances. Perhaps in search of stability and protection, Ella married Benny Kornegay, a local dockworker who had been pursuing her. Hours later, signs of remembrance began to appear all over the world. Fitzgeralds grades declined and she got into trouble with the law when she became affiliated with mafia related activities. One moment, you will be redirected shortly. The greatest there is . Ella's Granddaughter Signs First Recording - All About Jazz Classic Jazz Dinner Party. [15] Later that year, she was introduced to drummer and bandleader Chick Webb by Benny Carter[20] or Buck Ram[21] who had heard from singer Charlie Linton that Webb wanted to add a female singer. It is located southeast of the main entrance to the Amtrak/Metro-North Railroad station in front of the city's old trolley barn. Fitzgerald also loved dancing and singing, often catching shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. On June 15, 1996, Ella Fitzgerald died in her Beverly Hills home. . It was there that Ella first met drummer and bandleader Chick Webb. 40 Famous People That You Didn't Realize Were Amputees - Men's Health They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. Dubbed The First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. Ella Fitzgerald Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements Ella Fitzgerald & the Tee Carson trio - Summertime (from Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin).Tee Carson, piano; Keter Betts, bass; Joe Harris, drums.The firs. When asked, Norman Granz would cite "complex contractual reasons" for the fact that the two artists never recorded together. Cathy was born in Halifax, N.S. Three years later, she died at age 79 after years of declining health. Fueled by enthusiastic supporters, Ella began entering and winning every talent show she could find. Norman refused to accept any type of discrimination at hotels, restaurants or concert halls, even when they traveled to the Deep South. ella had one child that she adopted from her sister Frances da silva. "[64] Her funeral was private,[64] and she was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. There are several live albums on Verve that are highly regarded by critics. As a result, they were stranded in Honolulu for three days before they could get another flight to Sydney. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. Her extensive cookbook collection was donated to the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University, and her extensive collection of published sheet music was donated to UCLA. Ella's Granddaughter Signs First Recording - Ella Fitzgerald link 2.) In 2008, the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News named its new 276-seat theater the Ella Fitzgerald Theater. A performance at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London was filmed and shown on the BBC. [85], On January 9, 2007, the United States Postal Service announced that Fitzgerald would be honored with her own postage stamp. Ella Fitzgerald, in full Ella Jane Fitzgerald, (born April 25, 1917, Newport News, Virginia, U.S.died June 15, 1996, Beverly Hills, California), American jazz singer who became world famous for the wide range and rare sweetness of her voice. Accessed March 20, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ella-Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald. Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights. Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. "[54] Her last commercial campaign was for American Express, in which she was photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Ella Fitzgerald - Wikipedia June 15, 2016. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . On April 24, 1997, the Ella Fitzgerald Collection was officially donated to the Library after being on deposit since 1996. Of the seven, four reached the top of the pop charts, including ", Fitzgerald recorded three Verve studio albums with Louis Armstrong, two albums of standards (1956's, Fitzgerald is sometimes referred to as the quintessential swing singer, and her meetings with Count Basie are highly regarded by critics. Liberation Hall Announces Bossa Nova And Charlie Parker Titles For Record Store Day, Saturday, April New England Conservatory Alums Win Grammy Awards. Although "reluctant to sign herbecause she was gawky and unkempt, a 'diamond in the rough,'"[9] Webb offered her the opportunity to test with his band at a dance at Yale University. It celebrated what would have been her 96th birthday. Sinatra's 1986 recording of "Mack the Knife" from his album L.A. Is My Lady (1984) includes a homage to some of the song's previous performers, including 'Lady Ella' herself. Once on stage, faced with boos and murmurs of Whats she going to do? from the rowdy crowd, a scared and disheveled Ella made the last minute decision to sing. Biography.com Editors. Fitzgerald began singing and performing on the streets of Harlem in order to make ends meet. Ella took the loss very hard. [44], In her most notable screen role, Fitzgerald played the part of singer Maggie Jackson in Jack Webb's 1955 jazz film Pete Kelly's Blues. [63] Her eyesight was affected as well.[9]. Ella Fitzgerald | Found a Grave Ella Fitzgerald. National Endowment for the Arts. with her son Ray and 12 year old granddaughter Alice. She recorded several albums with piano accompaniment, but a guitar proved the perfect melodic foil for her. She felt at home in the spotlight. The two women remained close for the rest of Fitzgeralds life. Jun 8 1935 Ella becomes lead singer for Chick Web and his Orchestra . Find articles, news, musician pages, and more! She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. ELLA: A Biography of the Legendary Ella Fitzgerald. According to PBS American Masters, Fitzgerald slept wherever she could, essentially homeless. Jessica Bissett Perea. All I can say is that she gave to me as much as she could, Ray, Jr. later said, and she loved me as much as she could.. At the Opera House shows a typical Jazz at the Philharmonic set from Fitzgerald. While Fitzgerald appeared in films and as a guest on popular television shows in the second half of the twentieth century, her musical collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots were some of her most notable acts outside of her solo career. "I just want to smell the air, listen to the birds, and hear [my 12 year old granddaughter] Alice laugh," she reportedly said during her final years. When the band was touring in Dallas, Texas, the police barged into Fitzgeralds dressing room and arrested her, Dizzy Gillespie, and Illinois Jacquetbecause of Granzs civil rights advocacy. Shortly afterward Joe suffered a heart attack and died, and her little sister Frances joined them. Fitzgerald then published her first of eight song books, Fitzgerald became an international star. Ella in Rome and Twelve Nights in Hollywood display her vocal jazz canon. W1200 SH-FD1270 4969887106785 BuzzHobby By the 1990s, Ella had recorded over 200 albums. [46] Even though she had already worked in the movies (she sang two songs in the 1942 Abbott and Costello film Ride 'Em Cowboy),[47] she was "delighted" when Norman Granz negotiated the role for her, and, "at the time considered her role in the Warner Brothers movie the biggest thing ever to have happened to her. She was awarded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Equal Justice Award and the American Black Achievement Award. "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" became a major hit on the radio and was also one of the biggest-selling records of the decade. ", Wilson, John S. "A Tribute to Fitzgerald With Heart and Soul.". to the late Marjorie (Mossman) and Robert S. Thompson. Norman felt that I should do other things, so he produced Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book with me. Accessed March 19, 2022. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography, Ella Fitzgerald. National Endowment for the Arts. Ella spent most of her time with Ray Jr. and her granddaughter, Alice. Her father left the family shortly after her birth, so Ella's mother . 2017. Ella Fitzgerald On The Ed Sullivan Show 1965-1969 (Medley/Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 1965-1969) Spotify. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. After Webb died in 1939, the band was renamed Ella and Her Famous Orchestra. Ella Jane Fitzgerald, 25th April 1917, Newport News, Virginia, U.S.A. d. . The press went overboard. - Los Angeles, 1996. jnius 15.) On stage, however, Ella was surprised to find she had no fear. We have sent a confirmation email to {USEREMAIL}. Though the relationship ended after a year, Fitzgerald regularly returned to Denmark over the next three years and even considered buying a jazz club there. Her, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 19:11. Thank you for registering! Ella in Berlin is still one of her best-selling albums; it includes a Grammy-winning performance of "Mack the Knife" in which she forgets the lyrics but improvises to compensate. After staying with Joe for a short time, Tempies sister Virginia took Ella home. Ella was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. The exhibition, says John Edward Hasse, the museum's curator of American music and founder of Jazz Appreciation Month, tells the story of . A Granddaughter's Inspiration, at 78 R.P.M. - The New York Times Accessed March 19, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2019/09/05/749021799/the-joy-of-ella-fitzgeralds-accessible-elegance. She lived in a diverse neighborhood and made friends easily by playing games and sports in the street. One in particular opened doors for her. She credited the book for helping her to break through with non-jazz audiences. She had her own side project, too, known as Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight.[25]. Fitzgerald became an international star. [71] In 1954 on her way to one of her concerts in Australia she was unable to board the Pan American flight due to racial discrimination. [65] Her second marriage was in December 1947, to the famous bass player Ray Brown, whom she had met while on tour with Dizzy Gillespie's band a year earlier. Elf Soundtrack by Various (LP Vinyl, 2021, WaterTower Music) $33.98 New. The Queen of Jazz was born on this day in 1917 . In 1932, Tempie died from serious injuries that she received in a car accident. [10] Her stepfather took care of her until April 1933 when she moved to Harlem to live with her aunt. Ella Jane Fitzgerald ( Newport News, Virginia, 1917. prilis 25. The composers and lyricists spotlighted on each set, taken together, represent the greatest part of the cultural canon known as the Great American Songbook. Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book was the only Song Book on which the composer she interpreted played with her. Fitzgerald also made a one-off appearance alongside Sarah Vaughan and Pearl Bailey on a 1979 television special honoring Bailey. . Journey, Steve Perry, Kate Bush and more. In addition to her work with Webb, Fitzgerald performed and recorded with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. On her last day, she was wheeled . Accessed March 18, 2022. https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/ella-fitzgerald, Gleason, Holly. Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia to mother, Temperance (Tempie) Henry and father, William Fitzgerald. Allida is tongue-tied with An Impossible Thing to Say by Arya Shahi, in which an Iranian American teen in Arizonafalls in love with the new girl at school, Shakespeare, and rap music while . When Fitzgeralds mother died from serious injuries due to a car accident in 1932, Fitzgeralds life changed dramatically. [45] The film costarred Janet Leigh and singer Peggy Lee. It featured artists such as Michael Bubl, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, k.d. Despite her declining health, she continued performing, sometimes two shows a day in different cities. Ella Fitzgerald website. First Lady of Song Lady Ella Queen of Jazz Gender. There, she was beaten by her caretakers and faced terrible treatment. 2022. Occasionally, Ella took on small jobs to contribute money as well. [61] In March 1990, she appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, with the Count Basie Orchestra for the launch of Jazz FM, plus a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel at which she performed. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. Ella Fitzgerald. Hours later, signs of remembrance began to appear all over the world. Despite protests by family and friends, including Norman, Ella returned to the stage and pushed on with an exhaustive schedule. Ultimate Symbol Incorporated. Accessed March 19, 2022. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography. Mark Gulezian/NPG. In 1974, Ella spent a legendary two weeks performing in New York with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. [52] In the commercials, she sang a note that shattered a glass while being recorded on a Memorex cassette tape. But it finally got to the point where I had no place to sing. Also known as. She spent her golden years in the company of her adopted son Ray Brown, Jr. and granddaughter Alice. Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 - June 15, 1996) was an American jazz vocalist with a vocal range spanning three octaves (D3 to D6). She toured all over the world, sometimes performing two shows a day in cities hundreds of miles apart. Cape Breton Deaths DECEMBER 01, 2022 WEDNESDAY Ella Fitzgerald was born in Virginia but was raised in New York where she gained a taste for Jazz music. Shortly afterward, Ella began singing a rendition of the song, (If You Cant Sing It) You Have to Swing It. During this time, the era of big swing bands was shifting, and the focus was turning more toward bebop.