Emily Carter
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Jazz, got her start with Chick Webb and His Orchestra. In 1935, Fitzgerald was hired as a vocalist for Chick Webb's band, and she soon became the official lead singer. Fitzgerald performed with the orchestra until 1942, recording nearly 150 songs together and even writing and recording songs with Webb himself. After Webb's death in 1939, Fitzgerald took over as bandleader, and the group was renamed Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of vocalist | Ella Fitzgerald |
| Common name | Ella |
| Full name | Ella Jane Fitzgerald |
| Nicknames | First Lady of Jazz, First Lady of Song |
| Year of joining Chick Webb's Orchestra | 1935 |
| Age when joined | Teenager |
| Year of leaving Chick Webb's Orchestra | 1942 |
| Reason for leaving | To focus on her solo career |
| Number of songs recorded with Chick Webb's Orchestra | Nearly 150 |
| Notable performances | "A Tisket A Tasket", "Down Home Rag", "Go Harlem", "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie", "Liza" |
| Other bands performed with | Benny Goodman Orchestra |
| Known for | Purity of tone, diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, absolute pitch, "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in scat singing |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ella Fitzgerald's start with Chick Webb's Orchestra
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Jazz or the First Lady of Song, began her career with Chick Webb and His Orchestra. In 1935, Fitzgerald was hired by Webb to be the vocalist for his band. She was only a teenager at the time, but she had already won talent competitions at the Apollo Theater.
Fitzgerald made her debut with Webb's orchestra in March 1935, performing for a fraternity dance at Yale University. Her performance was well-received, and she was hired after a longer tryout at the orchestra's home base, the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. She quickly became a favourite of audiences at the ballroom, where she often danced alongside the band.
Fitzgerald recorded nearly 150 songs with Webb's orchestra between 1935 and 1942. One of their most notable collaborations was the song ""A Tisket A Tasket", which Fitzgerald penned and performed with her trademark youthful vocals. The song became a huge hit, and Fitzgerald gained acclaim as part of the group.
In 1939, Chick Webb passed away, and the members of his orchestra met with Fitzgerald to decide on their next steps. It was decided that Fitzgerald would assume leadership of the orchestra, which was renamed Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra. She led the band until 1942 when she left to focus on her solo career, causing the band to break up.
Skunk and Chicken: A Deadly Combination?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ella Fitzgerald's impact on the jazz scene
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Jazz, Queen of Jazz, and simply, Ella, began her career as a vocalist with Chick Webb's orchestra. She soon became a popular attraction at the Savoy and recorded her first song, "Love and Kisses", with Webb in June 1935.
Fitzgerald's vocal range spanned three octaves, a phenomenon that resonated with musicians and fans. Her revolutionary scat singing turned what could have been a simple artistic exercise into a profound form of vocal improvisation that influenced countless musicians. She had the uncanny ability to infuse her songs with raw human emotions, making her performances deeply personal and universally relatable.
Fitzgerald's impact on the jazz scene extended beyond her vocal prowess. She broke barriers and set new standards, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate. Her life and career offer invaluable lessons in perseverance, innovation, and the enduring power of music. She was a voice of her time, using her music as a powerful tool to inspire and connect, proving that the true essence of jazz lies not only in its sound but in its heart and soul.
Fitzgerald's influence was not confined to the United States. She gained international acclaim, performing in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and bringing American jazz to the world stage. Her collaborations with musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong enriched her music and allowed her to mentor younger artists, further expanding her impact on the jazz community. Her impeccable technique and innovative styles have been studied and emulated by aspiring musicians for decades.
Winner of 14 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the first African American woman to win a Grammy, Fitzgerald's impact on the jazz scene is undeniable. Her contributions elevated the works of American songwriters to new heights, ensuring their place in cultural history.
Cast Iron Cooking: Why Does My Chicken Burn?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chick Webb's death and Ella Fitzgerald's leadership
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the "First Lady of Song", got her start with Chick Webb's orchestra. Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1917. She moved to Yonkers, New York, with her mother and her mother's new partner, Joseph da Silva, a few years after her birth.
William Henry "Chick" Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1905, though the year of his birth is disputed. Webb suffered a severe injury as an infant, falling down a flight of stairs in his family home and never regaining full mobility. By 1926, he was leading his own band in Harlem, and in 1931, his band became the house band at the Savoy Ballroom.
In 1935, Chick Webb hired Ella Fitzgerald as a vocalist for his orchestra. She recorded nearly 150 songs with Webb's orchestra between 1935 and 1942. In 1938, she co-wrote and recorded a version of the nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", which became a major hit and brought her public acclaim.
On June 16, 1939, Chick Webb died of spinal tuberculosis. After his death, Ella Fitzgerald took on the role of bandleader. The band was renamed Ella and Her Famous Orchestra or Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra. Fitzgerald recorded over 150 songs between 1935 and 1942. She left the band in 1942 to start her solo career, which caused the group to break up.
Ella Fitzgerald went on to have a prolific solo career, recording 2,000 songs and earning fourteen Grammy Awards. She passed away at her home on June 15, 1996.
Chicken Portion Planning: How Much Per Person?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ella Fitzgerald's work beyond Chick Webb's Orchestra
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Jazz and the First Lady of Song, began her career as a vocalist with Chick Webb and His Orchestra. After Webb's death in 1939, Fitzgerald led the orchestra until she left in 1942 to focus on her solo career.
Fitzgerald's work beyond the Chick Webb Orchestra is notable for her exploration of new avenues of artistic expression. She fronted bands led by other influential bandleaders, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Chick Webb himself. Her discography covers a wide range of genres, including Big Band, Swing, Bebop, Gospel, Soul, and Rhythm and Blues. She was known for her unique ability to use her voice as a musical instrument through the technique of scat singing, which she perfected and pioneered.
Ella Fitzgerald's solo career took off after she left Chick Webb's orchestra in 1942. She gained widespread recognition for her performances at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and the Apollo Theatre, where she was one of the first Amateur Night winners. Her talent and versatility as a vocalist shone through as she adapted children's songs, such as the mega-hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which she co-wrote with Webb. This song showcased her scat singing technique and contributed to her growing success.
In addition to her musical achievements, Ella Fitzgerald received numerous national honours and accolades. She rubbed shoulders with presidents and left an indelible mark on the history of jazz. Her impact extended beyond her musical talents, as she broke down racial barriers and challenged societal norms during a time of segregation and discrimination.
Kong Pao Chicken: Triple Star's Signature Dish Reviewed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chick Webb's Orchestra members and performances
William Henry "Chick" Webb, born in Baltimore, Maryland, was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. The year of his birth is disputed, with some sources claiming 1905 and others 1909. Webb's orchestra really debuted in 1933, and in 1935, he began featuring a teenaged Ella Fitzgerald as a vocalist.
Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Jazz and the First Lady of Song, became the official lead singer for Chick Webb and his Orchestra. Together, they wrote and recorded songs, including "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", which was composed by Van Alexander at Fitzgerald's request. Other notable performances include “Down Home Rag,” “Go Harlem,” “Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie,” and “Liza.” Webb and Fitzgerald's partnership was so successful that when Webb died in 1939, Fitzgerald assumed leadership of the orchestra.
After Webb's death, Ella Fitzgerald led the Chick Webb band until 1942 when she left to focus on her solo career, causing the band to break up. Webb's other band members included Taft Jordan, Louis Bacon, Sandy Williams, and Edgar Sampson.
Chick Webb and His Orchestra competed in battle of the bands contests with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra. Webb lost to Duke Ellington in 1937, but a judge declared his band the winner over Count Basie's in 1938.
Honey Soy Chicken Chips: Are They Vegetarian-Friendly?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ella Fitzgerald.
Ella Fitzgerald joined Chick Webb's orchestra in 1935.
Ella Fitzgerald was the lead singer of Chick Webb's orchestra.
Ella Fitzgerald recorded nearly 150 songs with Chick Webb's orchestra. One of their most notable songs was "A Tisket A Tasket", which became a huge hit.
After Chick Webb's death in 1939, Ella Fitzgerald led the orchestra until she left to focus on her solo career in 1942, causing the band to break up.
