The legendary queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald celebrates her would be 100th birthday today! A legend who's smooth and soul filled voice will forever ring through our speakers in timeless simplicity. So here are 5 things you didn't know about Ella Fitzgerald.
1) In 1938 Ella co-wrote a Jazz rewrite of the classic nursery tune "A Tisket, A Tasket" that skyrocketed her to fame.
2) Ella was homeless when she was first discovered. In 1934 she won an amateur contest at Harlem's Apollo Theatre. She was living on the streets trying to make it as an entertainer when she entered the contest that skyrocketed her into fame. "She sang the Hoagy Carmichael tune "Judy" as well as "The Object of My Affection," wowing the audience. Fitzgerald went on to win the contest's $25 first place prize."
3) Ella made history when she became the first African American woman to win a Grammy in 1958. She would later go on to win a total of 13 Grammys and sell more than 40 million albums.
4) Ella originally wanted to become a dancer, not a singer. As a result of her families constant financial struggles, a young Ella helped her family out as a messenger and lookout for a brothel. This supposedly sparked her passion for performance.
5) Ella was a member of her own band titled Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight. After the Original band leaders death in 1939, Fitzgerald became the leader of the band. This was a rarity for the time as she was a female band leader. She renamed the band Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra.
Happy 100th Birthday Ella Fitzgerald!!!
