Ella Fitzgerald with Love
First Lady of Song, Multi-Awarded American Female Jazz Singer
Profiles the achievements, awards and legacy of Ella Fitzgerald, one of the greatest Black American jazz vocalists.
Called "The First Lady of Song," the sound of jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald lingers. Although Fitzgerald continued to receive acclaim in the 1960s, including winning Grammy Awards, it was a transitional time for her, just as it was for America.
In the early 1960s, American popular music dramatically changed, as both soul music and rock and roll began to dominate the record charts, pushing Fitzgerald's specialties - jazz - into the background. That was the time for civil rights movement's tensions. The rise of gritty soul music and hard-driving rock and roll reflected this desire for social change. But Fitzgerald fame was not diminished.
In mid-60s, her heavy touring eventually caught up with Ella Fitzgerald. At a concert in Munich, she suddenly stopped singing and had to be lead offstage. She retreated to her new home in Beverly Hills, California. The amount of time she took off as a performer proved beneficial as her strength recovered. She resumed work through concerts, making records and television appearances.
Her music sounded somewhat old-fashioned compared with the new, rocking sounds sweeping America. As a result, she did not forge any new hit records. Fitzgerald did her best to appreciate the new wave of sounds. She expressed enthusiasm for young musicians and singers, including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Stevie Wonder she dubbed "young Duke Ellington."
Ella Fitzgerald elected to stick to both jazz and pop – music she loved. In the 1970s, interest in jazz emerged especially in her songs. She recorded again on a regular basis, and was one of the first singers featured on Pablo Records, in honor of artist Pablo Picasso.
By mid-70s, Fitzgerald began to receive a great many tributes in honor of her contributions to the world of music, including honorary degrees. She shared top billing in a series of concerts with vocalist Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra in New York City.
Awards for Ella Fitzgerald
- Honored at the Kennedy Center 1979
- Rose Award, from Lord and Taylor department stores in 1980
- Woman of the Year in 1982 to commemorate "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" from Harvard's Hasty Pudding Club
- Whitney Young Award from National Urban League, a minority groups community service organization
- Best Female Jazz Singer from Down Beat magazine for 18 years in a row.
- All-Time Favorite Jazz Singer 13 times by Playboy magazine.
- National Medal of Arts award from President Ronald Reagan at the White House
Expressed in the lively sounds and rhythm of jazz, Fitzgerald's music lifts the spirit. Surely, it doesn't only come from her mastery of technique, her dedication and commitment, but much flowed from her personality, from her heart with love.
Well done Ella Fitzgerald! Not only that you did it, but you did it consistently.
Suggested Fitzgerald Recording
Gold Ella Fitzgerald, 2 CDs, collection of her classic performances
Source:
Ella Fitzgerald by Bud Kliment, Chelsea House (1988)
