Fitzgerald, Ella (1917-1996)

US jazz singer. She is recognized as one of the finest, most lyrical voices in jazz, both in solo work and with big bands. She is celebrated for her smooth interpretations of George Gershwin and Cole Porter songs.

Fitzgerald excelled at scat singing and was widely imitated in the 1950s and 1960s. She is among the best-selling recording artists in the history of jazz. Her albums include Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, Duke Ellington Songbook, and other single-composer sets in the 1950s and 1960s, and Ella and Louis (1956) with trumpeter Louis Armstrong. She also recorded with Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

She was born in Newport News, Virginia, and grew up in Yonkers, New York. Her first hit was ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket’ in 1938. She also appeared in films, including Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) and Pete Kelly's Blues (1955). A prolific performer, she received many honours during her career, including 13 Grammy Awards.