Ella Fitzgerald Biography Essay

She was well known for her distinct, raspy voice. Many people express disapproval of her, but honestly, she had real capacity. She was one of the substantial female stars in her lifetime, and there weren’t many recognized female artists in the 60’s. One really needs to give her credit, despite her controversial personal life of moving from man to man, and being a lesbian at one point. In my eyes, she was just confused, depressed, and seriously needed help. Her death in 1974 was harrowing, and I wish she could’ve lived longer to make more beautiful music. Her songs have a lot of emotion and soul in her voice and it’s so pleasing to the

She could not focus on school so she dropped out and took on a full time job. She was forced to move out of her grandparents because there was not enough room. Her younger brother stayed while she had to support herself. Her older brother joined the navy. During this time, she learned that stealing gave her excitement.

The jazz musician I decided to discuss is Ella Fitzgerald considering she was one of the only girls discussed in music appreciation. Ella was known for a vocal range of three octaves and her ability to improvise during a song. She is also best known for putting her own artistic stamp on the music of her time in away that now one measured up to. Fitzgerald is also regarded as one of the best scat singers in the history of

Singer/actress Lena Horne's primary occupation was nightclub entertaining, a profession she pursued successfully around the world for more than 60 years, from the 1930s to the 1990s. In conjunction with her club work, she also maintained a recording career that stretched from 1936 to 2000 and brought her three Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989; she appeared in 16 feature films and several shorts between 1938 and 1978; she performed occasionally on Broadway, including in her own Tony-winning one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music in 1981-1982; and she sang and acted on radio and television. Adding to the challenge of maintaining such a career was her position as an African-American facing discrimination

Florence Mills was a outstanding singer and dancer because of the way she carried herself through her dances. And she was a leading performer in every dance that she danced in or presented of herself, and she also had a amazingly hauntingly voice which gave her acceptance to be a TV show entertainer. She caught success in only two TV shows. Even though, she was born into poverty that didn't stop her from being a unique performer. She always made her through jazz and dancing into more advanced things which gave her major but little popularity in both worlds.

When she got sent there she had nobody that she knew. Not even a sibling or a parent. She had no information on the camp so she was being forced to go somewhere that she didn’t even know about. She was basically scared and lonely. She didn’t even know if she was going to live, but she did.

She was a “strong woman with a remarkable voice. She didn’t let discrimination against her race and gender stop her from pursuing her dream. Her voice gave hope all throughout the Harlem Renaissance and influenced other American singers. Many big names in the music industry respected her musical talent.” She was very shy, according to the trumpet player in Chick Webb’s band, Mario Bauzá. He remembers “she didn’t hang out much. When she got into the band, she was dedicated to her music… She was a lonely girl around New York, just kept herself to herself, for the gig.” And according to her official website, she didn’t like to talk in front of crowds, even though she won 13 Grammys, and many other major awards, such as an honorary doctorate of Music from Harvard University. Though she was shy, when she was in front of the stage singing, she was poised, sophisticated, and most importantly of all, confident. Nothing could stop her, she was the Queen of

The “First Lady of Song”, “Queen of Jazz” and the ability to mimic instrumental sounds were just some some of the accomplishments that Ella Fitzgerald. Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz and song vocalist. Ella came from a troubled childhood and during a period of time, early 1900’s, when life in America was tough. However, she overcame many obstacles and became the first African-American woman to win a Grammy Award.

successful business. Ella was so wealthy she even had her very own stepsisters, Macy and Barnacle, work for her as her paid maids and has her stepfather be her security guard. One night although everything could change for worse or for better.

Ask anyone who the great starlet of the 1920s was and they will all say the beautiful and talented Josephine Baker. Josephine was known by many names, Freda Josephine McDonald her birth name, Josephine Baker her stage name, as well as “Black Venus”, “Black Pearl” and Creole Goddess (Louck "The Official Josephine Baker Website"). No matter whom Josephine was known as this does not distinguish the amount of work succeeded by Baker. Josephine Baker was an African American who broke free from racial offense by playing an important role in the Harlem Renaissance and showing people that she could become a respected dancer regardless of her race.

Her mother died in 1932 so she moved in with her aunt. She soon started skipping school and soon sent to a special reform school. Ella didn't stay at the reform school that long. In 1934 she was living on the street trying to make it on her own. She still wanted to be an entertainer or a singer. She entered a contest at Harlem's Apollo theater, at the contest she sung Hoagy Carmichael tune “Judy” and “The Object of My Attention”.

Many great artists in the early 1900’s made their way to spotlight, one of the most remarkable music artist at that time was Sarah Vaughan. Sarah Vaughan, is one of the most iconic singers and pianist of her era. In the 1940s she accompanied Jazz ensembles along with her predecessor Ella Fitzgerald. We're both women helped elevate vocalist and instrumental music come to life. Sarah Vaughan was born on March 27th 1924 in Newark, New Jersey, she is the daughter of Asbury and Ada Vaughan. Both parents were heavily involved with music when she was growing up, her father played guitar and her mother sung in the choir. Vaughan took lessons and attended Mount Zion Baptist Church where she learned how to play the piano and the jump start place for

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen

As you already know, Ella Fitzgerald is a jazz legend. But how did she get to be the amazing singer we remember her as today?

Ella didn’t have a very good childhood. It started after she was born. Her parents split right after her birth. Instead of her moving in with her father she moved in with her mom and her mom’s boyfriend to Yonkers, New York. Her mom soon found a new boyfriend, Joseph Da Silva. In 1923 it was the arrival of Ella new sister, Frances. Her family was also struggling financially. She wanted to help with that so she became a messenger for “running numbers” and she was acting as a lookout for a brothel. At first Ella didn't want to be a singer she wanted to be a dancer. In 1932 Ella had to move in with her aunt because her mother died.