Ella Fitzgerald: The First Lady Of Scat

Bing Crosby’s sentiment captures the essence of Ella Fitzgerald’s unparalleled talent and enduring influence on the world of music. Ella’s voice was a remarkable instrument that could effortlessly convey a wide range of emotions, from the depths of heartache in lovelorn ballads to the infectious energy of swinging bebop. Her ability to captivate audiences transcended age and gender, making her a beloved figure in the world of jazz and beyond.

Ella Fitzgerald’s contributions to music extended far beyond her vocal prowess. She was a trailblazer, breaking racial barriers and paving the way for future generations of artists. Her scat singing and improvisational skills set new standards in jazz, earning her the nickname “The First Lady of Song.”

Throughout her illustrious career, Ella recorded numerous iconic songs and albums, leaving an indelible mark on the Great American Songbook. Her interpretations of classics like “Summertime,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “Mack the Knife” continue to resonate with audiences today.

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Garlanded with the honorific title of ‘The First Lady of Song’, Ella’s trajectory to fame was an archetypal rags-to-success story. Born into poverty, in Newport News, Virginia in 1917, she moved to Yonkers, New York with her mother after her parents separated. Living briefly with her aunt after the untimely death of her mother in a car crash when she was 15 years old, Ella was soon living rough and getting into trouble on the rough streets of Harlem. Her vocal talents and impressive range shined when she won an amateur talent competition in her late teens at the Apollo Theater, Harlem in 1934, and soon after she joined the Chick Webb Orchestra, touring with the group in some of the most famous jazz venues in the city.
Signed by Decca Records, Fitzgerald released her first song, the million-selling ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket’, based on a 19th century nursery rhyme, in 1938, bringing her instant fame and recognition. She took control of the orchestra following the death of leader Chick Webb, renamed ‘Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra’, before the band disbanded in 1941. Touring with the jazz-trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie’s big band, her solo hits of 1947, including Flying Home, Oh, Lady be Good, and How High the Moon, coincided with the rise in the dynamic shuffling, rhythmically complex style known as bebop. Blessed with a technical prowess and melodic heft, Ella was a towering singer whose honey toned voice spanned a three octave range. She was becoming notable for her unique scat singing, an energetic style of vocal improvisation where a rapid fire succession of mostly nonsense syllables, often imitating the melodic line of a horn instrument, were sung to thrilling, unpredictable effect.
Her success continued with her recordings of songs from the Great American Songbook. Recorded with pianist Ellis Larkin, she released Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) as a tribute to the great American composer. Cementing her legendary status, her expansive Songbook series with Norman Granz in the mid 1950’s features some of her most celebrated interpretations of jazz and pop standards including works by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington. Declining in health in her later years, Fitzgerald was awarded the National Medal of Honor in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan. She died in 1996 at the age of 79 in her Beverly Hills home, but her place in the hall of the great female jazz luminaries is unquestioned.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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