Jazz New York

New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble #04

New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble @ Live Club 22/12/06 (Trezzo sull’Adda, MI)

Ella Fitzgerald, Her Music And Jazz

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer called “The First Lady of Song.” She was known to have invented scat singing, a breathless, nonsense syllable technique for her songs “Lady Be Good” and “Flying Home.” A celebrated jazz vocalist, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Her ability to improvise and rewrite the material she sang made her a favorite with jazz aficionados.

Early Life of Ella Fitzgerald

She was born  in Newport News, Virginia and raised in humble beginnings in Yonkers, New York. Her parents, William and Temperance, separated shortly after her birth. Ella and her mother eventually moved in with mother’s long-time boyfriend Joe Da Silva. She has a half-sister, Frances, born in 1923.  Despite the difficulties of growing up, her singing talent was obvious at age 16, when she performed at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater at an amateur competition.

Ella Fitzgerald’s Career as Jazz Singer

It was Bandleader Chick Webb who spotted her in this amateur competition and eventually engaged her to sing with his nightclub band. She took over this band four years later when Webb died in 1939.

From 1938, Ella Fitzgerald became a household name, recognized as a major female jazz singer. Her career-establishing hit record “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” (1938) was made with Webb’s band. Fitzgerald absorbed the popular “white” music of the 1930s and her recordings of songs like “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” were bestsellers.

She sang works by famous songwriters such as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, at the same time recording with great talents such as the Oscar Peterson Trio, formed a singing partnership with Louis Armstrong, toured with Dizzy Gillespie and appeared in television specials with Duke Ellington.

In 1943, Fitzgerald became the youngest person ever admitted to the American Society of  Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She married in 1947, but retaining her maiden name. She adopted a child. 

Her popular Songbooks produced in the 1950s interpreted the music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, and Duke Ellington.

Ella Fitzgerald’s Awards and Recognition

In the 1970s, Ella Fitzgerald sang with symphony orchestra around the world and remained an active performer in concerts, television, and recordings. She also spent two weeks performing in New York with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. 

The winner of countless awards, she received the Kennedy Center Honors for her contribution in the arts. In 1987 she was honoured by then US President Ronald Reagan at the White House with the National Medal of the Arts. France followed years later with Commander of Arts and Letters Award, while universities gave her honorary doctorates.  In 1989, the Society of Singers presented her its first Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last years of Ella Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald underwent quintuple coronary bypass surgery in 1986. A valve in her heart replaced and diagnosed with diabetes, rumors had it that she will no longer sing. She proved her detractors wrong. She continued to perform on stage. She gave her final concert at Carnegie Hall, New York in 1991.

At 76, her illness worsened. She had severe circulatory problems and her legs were amputated below the knees. On June 15, 1996, she died in her Beverly Hills home. She was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. Ella Gitzgerald’s songs are still available in CDs and Songbooks, be they with Louis Armstrong, Cole Porter and some other prominent songwriters of her time.  

Sources:

Martin, Jean, Ed. Who’s Who of Women in the 20th Century

Weatherford, Doris. American Women’s History

(The article was originally published at Suite101.com)

Jazz New York

A “richly anecdotal and wonderful” slim, pocket-size guide now updated to include all the newest hot spots on the Big Apple jazz scene

Jazz Guide: New York City is the only comprehensive guide to jazz in the Big Apple–now revised and expanded to include all the newest hot spots on the scene. Whether uptown or downtown, big bands or subway soloists, it’s all here. Drop in on the elegant clubs where legendary headliners call the tunes, then hit a hole-in-the wall joint to hear scrappy y

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Noah's Arc
Jazz New York
Kellman, a pianist, was asked by Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival producer Larry Luttinger of the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation to lead a backing trio for world-class saxophonist Antonio Hart, set to perform on Saturday, July 30, 6:30 pm, …

Jazz New York question by dreamr236: Title For Jazz Dance for New York Theme?
I am teaching a jazz class ages 11-14 and I am trying to come up with a title for them to fit our theme. The theme is I love New York. Their costume is rather sophisticated looking – red leotard with black mesh overlay and a black car wash skirt. I am leaning towards using the song “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Buble, but would also be open to similar song suggestions.

So my questions:
1) What to call them?
2) Do you think “Haven’t Met You Yet” is a good song to use or do you have a suggestion of a similar song?

Thanks in advance!

Jazz New York best answer:

Answer by Coosan
Shaman feemails definetely