The First Lady of Song, Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, VA. For more that 50 years she was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States. In 1934, Ella performed at the Apollo Theater and she won the audience over with the song Judy. After she sang the audience demanded and encore. Ella began entering and winning every talent show that she could find. Ella made her first recording Love and Kisses in 1936. During the late ‘30s bebop began to become popular. Ella played with that style of music and used her voice to take on the role of another horn in the band. At this time she began experimenting with scat singing, and her improvisation and vocalization thrilled fans. Throughout her career, Ella would master scat singing, turning it into a form of art. Ella became famous at the age of 21 in 1938 when she recorded A-Tisket, A-Tasket which sold one million copies. She won thirteen Grammy Awards, was loved and respected around the world and was very influential in the careers of singer who followed in her path. On June 15, 1996, Ella Fitzgerald died in her Beverly Hills home.

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