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Born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, VA, Ella Fitzgerald became an iconic jazz singer despite early hardships. Known for her vibrant personality, she found her voice at the Apollo Theater’s amateur night. Winning countless talent shows and recording hits like "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," she rose to fame with the Chick Webb band. Although faced with health and discrimination issues, Ella’s resilience and passion for music shone through. A generous philanthropist, she received numerous accolades, including 13 Grammys, and left an indelible mark on the arts before her passing in 1996.
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Ella Fitzgerald By Devone
Bio • Born April 25, 1917 – In Newport News, VA • As a child she was known to make friends easily and participate in neighborhood baseball games • Enjoyed singing, dancing, and going to the Apollo Theater with her friends • After her mother died she started skipping school and getting in trouble with the law and was sent to reform school
How her career started • Ella’s life changed when her name was drawn to perform at the Apollo on amateur night • Instead of dancing like she originally planned, Ella made a last minute decision to sing – this decision changed her life. • Ella entered and won many talent shows and eventually won the opportunity to sing at the with the Tiny Bradshaw band. • Chick Webb , the leader of the band, then hired her to be the lead singer
Her road to fame • With the band Ella recorded songs but didn’t become famous until recording “A-tisket, A-tasket”. • After falling in love and marrying ray brown, of the Dizz Gillespie’s band, and was hired by his producer Norman Granz. • Ella went on the Philharmonic tour and appeared on many T.V. shows
Her struggle • Although her career was blossoming, she suffered from many hardships including issues with her health, but Ella continued to work as hard as she could • Due to the time period she was in she and other tour members also had to deal with discrimination. • While preparing for a show in Dallas police bombarded the performers’ dressing rooms and arrested everyone. • But, while help from her manager and other celebrity fans, including Marilyn Monroe, Ella came out on top.
Her Contributions • Her music alone was a huge contribution to the arts. • However, Ella was not only devoted to her music. She always contributed to organizations for disadvantaged youth. • Because of her contributions she was awarded: • The Kennedy Centers Honors
Because of her contributions she was awarded: • A spot Down Beat magazine’s Hall of Fame • The Kennedy Centers Honors • National Medal of Arts - from the President • Commander of Arts and Letters award - from France • Honorary Doctorates from multiple universities
The end of her career • Many though Ella’s career had come to an end when she got a quintuple coronary bypass surgery and was diagnosed with diabetes, but she pulled through and began to perform again • However, with her health worsen Ella performed for the last time in 1991 • Five years later, at age 76, Ella died in her Beverly Hills home. • By the end of Ella’s career she had won 13 Grammys, sold over 40 million albums and made more than 200 records.