February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of Black Americans, and a time to recognize and reflect on the accomplishments, struggles, successes, and contributions Black figures have had, not just in our country but throughout the world.
Today, the Edison Public Library recognizes American singer, songwriter, and composer Ella Fitzgerald.
Dubbed The First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald—whose voice has been described as ‘flexible, wide-ranging, accurate, and ageless’—was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. She performed all over the world and was known for her iconic vocal range, clear tone, and ability to improvise with her hallmark scat singing.
Born in Newport News, VA to William and Temperance (Tempie) on April 25, 1917, Fitzgerald’s parents parted ways early on and she was raised by her mother, and her partner, Joseph Da Silva, in Yonkers, NY. Following her mother’s death in 1932, Fitzgerald remained with Da Silva for a short time before going to live with her aunt. Struggling to adjust, Fitzgerald’s grades declined and she found herself in trouble with the police and sent away to reform school.
At the age of 15, Fitzgerald broke free from the abusive caretakers at the reformatory and set out on her own, singing and performing on the streets of Harlem to make ends meet. Two years later, she won the opportunity to compete at the Apollo Theatre’s Amateur Night. Making a last-minute decision to sing rather than dance, Fitzgerald’s performance garnered the attention of the band’s saxophonist and arranger Benny Carter. Carter began introducing Fitzgerald to people who could help launch her career and she began entering – and winning – every talent show she could find.
In January 1935, Fitzgerald earned a spot with Chick Webb’s band and, the following year, released her first single, “Love and Kisses.” Just three years later, she recorded a playful version of the nursery rhyme “A-Tisket, A-Tasket"; the album would go on to sell 1 million copies, hit number one, and remain on the pop charts for four months.
Signing with Brown’s producer and manager Norman Granz, Fitzgerald joined the “Jazz at the Philharmonic Tour" and soon began working with Louis Armstrong on several albums and producing her infamous songbook series as well as recording covers of other musicians, including Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Gershwins, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hart.
Over the course of her career, Fitzgerald sold over 40 million albums, performed sold-out shows at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the world, and worked alongside some of the most renowned jazz artists of the time. She was the recipient of 13 Grammy awards and, in 1960, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additionally, in 1987, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan.
In 1991, she gave her final concert, performing at New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall for the 26th time. Fitzgerald spent much of her final years at her Beverly Hills home, enjoying time with her son and granddaughter. She passed away on June 15, 1996, but will forever be remembered as a revolutionary American jazz singer.
