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Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American singer, 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, absolute pitch, 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, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start her solo career. Her manager was Moe Gale, co-founder of the Savoy, until she turned the rest of her career over to Norman Granz, who founded Verve Records to produce new records by Fitzgerald. With Verve, she recorded some of her more widely noted works, particularly her interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

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[-] TomMasz@piefed.social 21 points 2 months ago

That's trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie on the right and bassist Ray Brown on the left.

[-] bear 13 points 2 months ago

That's how my cat looks at my chicken.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

Thanks! I've heard them play but I've never seen a picture of them before.

[-] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

You should really watch some videos of Dizzy playing. It really is something else.

[-] hedders@fedia.io 6 points 2 months ago

There have been many great singers. But there's only ever been one Ella Fitzgerald.

this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2025
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