"It isn't where you came from, its where you're going that counts."
"The only thing better than singing is more singing."
"I stole everything I ever heard, but mostly I stole from the horns"
"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."
"I'm very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it's a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it's because it's something I love to do"
"Kids in Italy call me 'Mama Jazz; I thought that was so cute. As long as they don't call me 'Grandma Jazz."
"One of these mornings your goin to rise up singing. Then you'll spread your wings and you'll take the sky.
The First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald, would have turned 100 years old this year had she not passed away June 15, 1996. Also known as the Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella, Fitzgerald was born in Virginia April 25, 1917, grew up in Yonkers, NY and rose to fame after she competed in one of the first Amateur Nights at the Apollo. As her career progressed, Fitzgerald performed as a solo artist and collaborated with jazz greats including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. Her scat singing skills helped usher in the bebop era of jazz. Later, Fitzgerald returned to more classic arrangements in an attempt to find a wider audience. Her Cole Porter Songbook and Great American Songbook recordings had more universal appeal and sealed her legacy as one of the most talented American singers. In honor of Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday, I do believe I'll sprinkle the week with some of my favorite Lady Ella songs.
Happy Birthday Lady Ella!!
Up first is Ella singing a lively Mack the Knife.....
gawd, I LOVE her singing! she can hit the highs, the lows, and every note in between and THEN some!
ReplyDeleteLOVE ME SOME ELLA!!! Look forward to your selections this week. I adored her in this clip.
ReplyDeleteHere's too a great American treasure!!! Happy Birthday Ella!
ReplyDeleteAnyone with ears is an Ella fan!
ReplyDeleteI adore Rlla. I could listen to her sing, scat or hell, even talk all night. First Lady indeed.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, they don't make 'em like that anymore....
ReplyDeleteSNAP! Again...
ReplyDeleteAll hail, Goddess Ella!
Jx
I do love some Ella, but for me, the singer whose vocals move me, often, to tears, is Billie Holiday.
ReplyDeleteLady Day and the First Lady what kinda chaos would that have been ! If they ever performed together and I get to see / hear it in my lifetime ????! OH MAN !
DeleteBwah bwah bwah bwah doo be da dooo ! Pretty baby..........SNAP!
ReplyDeleteYes great minds think alike! Put us together and world domination !
Ella Fitzgerald was not only the jazz queen; She was also one of the best female singers of all time, and of all musical genres. His voice was very melodious; notable by its clear and precise vocalization
ReplyDeleteMy show tonight at the Crown, Mistress, is set to be all Ella. Happy Birthday Darling Ella! 100th Birthday of Miss Fitzgerald. Standing Ovations. And thanks
ReplyDeleteMy favourite female jazz singer of all time!
ReplyDeleteyour math does not figure she would be 102!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy her singing immensely..... but you can tell she really had fun and enjoyed herself when she would scat and enhance songs. Love her in this video.
ReplyDeletePure Ella.... eternal diva of Jazz and Soul!!!
ReplyDeletesat & watched a shitty abbott & costello movie the other night just because a very young ella was in it singing, "a tisket, a tasket."
ReplyDeleteThere has never been anyone else like her!
ReplyDeleteIt's uncanny how you always pick my favorite singers of the past. I'm beginning to think you have a old soul within you. ;-)
ReplyDelete