Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald Fitzgerald in November 1946 Background information Birth name Ella Jane Fitzgerald Born (1917-04-25)April 25, 1917 Newport News, Virginia, United States Died June 15, 1996(1996-06-15) (aged 79) Beverly Hills, California, United States Genres Swing, bebop, traditional pop, vocal jazz Occupation(s) Singer, actress Instruments Vocals Years active 1934–1993 Labels Capitol, Decca, Pablo, Reprise, Verve, Brunswick, HMV Website ellafitzgerald.com Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz vocalist with a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6). Often referred to as the First Lady of Song, the Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella, she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. Fitzgerald was a notable interpreter of the Great American Songbook. Over the course of her 60-year recording career, she sold 40 million copies of her 70-plus albums, won 13 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush.