Ella Fitzgerald: The Queen of Jazz and The First Lady of Song
von Syrah Omar
1. She was open minded with music, and flexible in her singing style
1.1. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. (http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography)
1.2. She could improvise right next to saxophonists like Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young, then turn around and perform a classic American ballad while infusing it with her natural swing. (https://www.npr.org/2007/06/13/10208984/ella-fitzgerald-first-lady-of-song)
1.3. Instead of painting the town after a long tour, she was known to just go home, read a book, and watch her favorite television soap operas. https://www.npr.org/2007/06/13/10208984/ella-fitzgerald-first-lady-of-song
2. She overcame discrimination
2.1. https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/ella-fitzgerald-voice
2.2. Ella Fitzgerald (1917 – 1996), like all African Americans in her lifetime, faced prejudice throughout her career. During an event in 1956 she was to headline at the Copacabana, one of the most extravagant clubs in New York City. This was the club’s first time headlining an African American, she was to walk into uncharted territory. (https://ellafitzgeraldblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/23/overcoming-discrimination/)
3. She had a humble beginning and remained relatable despite her success.
3.1. Her father abandoned her when she was just a baby. Later, during her early teenage years, she lost her mother, then her stepfather, and had to care for her younger sister. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography
3.2. Ella became depressed and troubled that she her grades dropped dramatically, and she frequently skipped school. After getting into trouble with the police, she was taken into custody and sent to a reform school where she was beaten by caretakers. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography
3.3. Eventually Ella escaped from the reformatory. The 15-year-old found herself broke and alone during the Great Depression, and strove to endure. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography
3.3.1. Never one to complain, Ella later reflected on her most difficult years with an appreciation for how they helped her to mature. She used the memories from these times to help gather emotions for performances, and felt she was more grateful for her success because she knew what it was like to struggle in life. http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/biography