Childhood
Ella Fitzgerald( 1917 - 1996) loved to dance and sing. At church, she sang gospel music. At home, she sang along to hits on the radio. She had a friend named Charlie, and they would dance together for loose change. When Ella and Charlie made enough money, they went to the Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. Suddenly, her mom died of heart attack when Ella was fourteen. Ella moved to her aunt, Virginia Williams. Her grades were failing, so she was then sent to a reformatory school, where they beat the girls and gave them nothing but bread and water to eat. She couldn't take it anymore, and ran away to Seventh Avenue. Ella participated in a talent show at the Apollo Theater, where she won first prize by singing the songs "Judy" and "The Object of My Affection". She won many other talent shows during the next few months.
The Chick Webb Orchestra was looking for a girl to join their band, and Ella popped up. Webb didn't want her, with her messy hair and her ragged clothes. Still, he decided to give her a shot. She sang against the Benny Goodman Orchestra, a popular jazz band in that time, at the Savoy Ballroom. She sang, and the crowd loved her more than Benny Goodman and his band. Webb saw her talent, and let her join the band.
The Chick Webb Orchestra was looking for a girl to join their band, and Ella popped up. Webb didn't want her, with her messy hair and her ragged clothes. Still, he decided to give her a shot. She sang against the Benny Goodman Orchestra, a popular jazz band in that time, at the Savoy Ballroom. She sang, and the crowd loved her more than Benny Goodman and his band. Webb saw her talent, and let her join the band.
Adulthood
Although Ella and Webb were popular, they still didn't have a hit song. Ella had an idea for one, based on the nursery rhyme, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket". Soon enough, the song became popular.
Meanwhile, Webb's health was failing. In 1939, Webb went to the hospital for an operation. He died a week later, and Ella honored him by singing at his funeral.
Ella took over the band, and she was the first woman to lead a jazz band. In 1942, the members decided to separate. They played their last show together at the end of July. After that, she became interested in a new type of music, called bebop, which includes scat singing. In scat, singers make their voice sound like instruments. Soon enough, Ella started recording bebop songs. Ella was one of the best scat singers in her time.
Meanwhile, Webb's health was failing. In 1939, Webb went to the hospital for an operation. He died a week later, and Ella honored him by singing at his funeral.
Ella took over the band, and she was the first woman to lead a jazz band. In 1942, the members decided to separate. They played their last show together at the end of July. After that, she became interested in a new type of music, called bebop, which includes scat singing. In scat, singers make their voice sound like instruments. Soon enough, Ella started recording bebop songs. Ella was one of the best scat singers in her time.
Tribute
Ella Fitzgerald made over 200 albums and 2,000 songs, and her singing is a voice jazz lovers won't forget. She should be honored with a way of showing her singing and songs. I chose to make a carving of her most famous songs interpreted literally. The statue will be 20 feet long and 10 feet tall, right in front of the Savoy Ballroom. It will be made of granite, which represents Ella and the way she stood strong against obstacles, like granite against the elements. The statue will have an interactive next to it. People can rent or use their own headphones, plug them in to a music box, and they can listen to Ella's songs. Also, there are seats in front of the music boxes for ultimate convenience. Below are two of my favorite songs, which are also included in the tribute.
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Bibliography:
Ella Fitzgerald : First Lady of Jazz, by Megan Schoeneberger
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com
http://www.biography.com/people/ella-fitzgerald-9296210
Ella Fitzgerald : First Lady of Jazz, by Megan Schoeneberger
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com
http://www.biography.com/people/ella-fitzgerald-9296210
