Ella Fitzgerald

MCT

Actress Denise Thimes plays the part of Ella Fitzgerald. The First Lady of Song was born in 1917 and died in 1996. She married twice, first to Benny Kornegay and Ray Brown. With Brown she had a son, Ray Brown Jr.

Allyson Bonhaus, Feature Chief

Artist Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Song and Lady Ella, is soon to be celebrated again a century after her birth on April 25, 2017. She is idolized for her perfect pitch and wonderful voice.
“The only thing better than singing is more singing,” said Fitzgerald, according to Fitzgerald’s Offical website.
Fitzgerald’s biggest success came with Norman Granz, her manager. Together they made the ‘Song Book’ series. Some of her most well known songs are ‘Summertime,’ ‘Blue Skies,’ and ‘Someone to Watch Over me.’
With Norman and Marilyn Monroe, Fitzgerald was able to stand up for her civil rights. Monroe said she would sit in the first row table every night if he hired Fitzgerald for a few weeks at his famous nightclub. And, she was there every night, making the crowd crazy, and gaining much recognition for Fitzgerald.
“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong,” said Fitzgerald, according to Fitzgerald’s Offical website.
Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy Awards, mandy Downbeat Jazz Awards, and Kennedy Center Honors. She even was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Arts. Also, Yale and Dartmouth awarded her honorary doctorates.
The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation was founded in 1993 by Fitzgerald to share her love of music and reading with all races and cultures. Through this, she wishes to create opportunities for children, give medical aid as well as food and shelter.
“It isn’t where you came from; it’s where you’re going that counts,” said Fitzgerald, according to Fitzgerald’s Offical website.
For more on Fitzgerald click here.