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Ella Jane Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Song, was born on April 25, 1917 (some sources state 1918), in Newport News, Virginia. She was born out of wedlock to Temperance (Tempie) Williams and William Fitzgerald, a truck driver. Ella's father acknowledged paternity but disappeared when she was three years old. A few years after her birth, Ella's parents separated, and her mother moved with her to Yonkers, New York, where she grew up.
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Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia
Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most celebrated singers, songwriters and composers in jazz history, was born in Newport News, Virginia. Her birth date is often listed as April 25, 1917, although some sources state that she was born in 1918. Known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz" and "Lady Ella", Ella Fitzgerald's remarkable talents seemed completely spontaneous, as she had no formal vocal training and grew up in a non-musical household.
Fitzgerald was born out of wedlock to Temperance ("Tempie") Williams and William Fitzgerald, a truck driver. Although her father acknowledged paternity, he disappeared when Ella was only three years old. Her mother supported the family by taking in laundry before marrying Joseph Da Silva, a retired fisherman, in 1920. The family then moved to Yonkers, just north of New York City, where Ella spent her childhood.
Fitzgerald's primary exposure to music was through attending church services with her family and listening to the jazz records her mother brought home. She also loved dancing and singing, and often went to shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Despite her shy personality, she rose to fame after winning an amateur night contest at the Apollo Theater in 1934, after which she joined Chick Webb's orchestra.
Ella Fitzgerald went on to have a prolific career, recording over 2,000 songs and earning fourteen Grammy Awards. She died on June 15, 1996, at her home in Beverly Hills, California, aged 78 or 79.
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Her birthday was April 25, 1917
Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. Her birthday was just over a month after the United States entered World War I, and the country was still in the grips of the deadly Spanish flu pandemic. Despite this tumultuous time, Ella's birth brought joy to her mother, Temperance "Tempie" Henry, and father, William Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, Ella's parents separated a few years after she was born, and her father passed away when she was very young.
From an early age, Ella aspired to be a dancer, and she often caught shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Little did she know that this very theater would play a pivotal role in launching her career. In 1934, at just 16 or 17 years old, Ella participated in an amateur night contest at the Apollo Theater, marking her first step towards becoming the "First Lady of Song."
Ella's birthday falls during the spring season, a time of renewal and rebirth in nature. Perhaps it is fitting that this season ushered in the birth of an artist who would go on to leave an indelible mark on the world of music. By the time of her passing in 1996, Ella had recorded over 2,000 songs, earned numerous Grammy awards, and secured her place as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Ella's birthday is also a reminder of the rich history of Newport News, Virginia. The city, nestled on the banks of the James River, has a long and complex history dating back to the early 17th century. It has played a significant role in the nation's military, maritime, and economic life and has been a birthplace or home to several notable figures, including Ella Fitzgerald.
As we commemorate Ella Fitzgerald's birthday on April 25, we remember not only her extraordinary talent and groundbreaking career but also the broader historical context of her birth and the impact she had on the world. Ella's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists and music lovers worldwide.
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Her parents were Temperance (Tempie) Henry and William Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917 (some sources state 1918), in Newport News, Virginia. Her parents were Temperance (Tempie) Henry, and William Fitzgerald. Ella was born out of wedlock, and her father, a truck driver, disappeared when she was only three years old. Despite acknowledging paternity, he played no role in her life. Ella's mother, Tempie, supported her daughter by taking in laundry. A few years after Ella's birth, Tempie moved with her daughter to Yonkers, New York, to live with her new partner, Joseph da Silva. Ella grew up in a non-musical household, but she was exposed to music through her family's church and the jazz records her mother brought home.
Tempie and William's daughter, Ella, grew up to become one of the most celebrated singers, songwriters, and composers of her time. Known as the First Lady of Song, "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", Ella Fitzgerald's remarkable talent seemed spontaneous, as she had no formal vocal training. Her pure tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, absolute pitch, and improvisational ability, particularly in scat singing, set her apart.
Ella's mother, Tempie, played a significant role in her early exposure to music. Through her mother's jazz records and their regular attendance at the Bethany African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ella developed a love for music. Tempie supported her daughter's aspirations, and it was at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, where Ella would often go to watch shows, that she took her first steps towards becoming a performer.
Ella's father, William Fitzgerald, on the other hand, was absent throughout her life. Despite acknowledging Ella as his daughter, he left when she was very young, and she never knew him. While his name gave Ella her famous surname, he played no role in her life or career.
Ella's parents, Temperance (Tempie) Henry and William Fitzgerald, thus played contrasting roles in her life and the development of her musical talent. While Tempie actively supported and influenced her daughter, William's absence left a void that Ella would go on to fill with her extraordinary musical gifts.
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Her mother moved to Yonkers, New York, with Ella shortly after she was born
Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. Her father, William Fitzgerald, was a truck driver who passed away when Ella was very young. Ella's mother, Temperance "Tempie" Henry, supported the family by doing laundry. A few years after Ella's birth, her parents separated, and Tempie later married Joseph da Silva, a retired fisherman. In 1920, Tempie and Ella moved to Yonkers, New York, to live with da Silva. Ella's half-sister, Frances, was born in 1923, and the two remained close throughout Ella's life.
Yonkers, New York, was where Ella Fitzgerald spent her childhood. She lived in a diverse neighbourhood and made friends easily by playing games and sports in the street. Ella was a talented student and had a passion for dancing and singing. She often went to shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and was exposed to jazz records that her mother brought home. Ella's primary musical influence came from attending services at the Bethany African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ella's mother's move to Yonkers placed her in a vibrant cultural environment that would shape her future career. Growing up in a diverse neighbourhood exposed her to a variety of musical styles and allowed her to develop her talent in a supportive community. The move also brought her closer to the heart of the jazz scene in Harlem, where she would eventually launch her career.
The move to Yonkers was significant for Ella's personal life as well. Her half-sister, Frances, was born there, and the two shared a close bond. Frances would later give birth to Ray Brown Jr., whom Ella and her second husband, Ray Brown, adopted. The extended family provided a supportive network that contributed to Ella's success and well-being.
Yonkers was also where Ella's musical dreams took shape. Her early exposure to jazz records and her frequent visits to the Apollo Theater inspired her artistic development. The cultural richness of the area and the proximity to Harlem's jazz scene nurtured her talent and laid the foundation for her future success as one of the most celebrated vocalists in modern music history.
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Ella's half-sister, Frances, was born in 1923
Ella Jane Fitzgerald, also known as the "First Lady of Song", was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. Her parents separated a few years after her birth, and her mother, Temperance (Tempie) Henry, moved in with her new partner, Joseph da Silva, in Yonkers, New York. Ella's half-sister, Frances Fitzgerald, was born in 1923. Ella and her half-sister remained close throughout Ella's life.
In 1932, when Ella was 15, her mother died in a car accident. Ella stayed with da Silva for a short time before moving in with her aunt, Virginia, with whom her half-sister, Frances, soon joined her. Unfortunately, Ella's grades suffered significantly after the loss of her mother, and she frequently skipped school. She also got into trouble with the law due to her involvement with mafia-related activities. As a result, she was sent to a reform school in Hudson, New York, where she faced mistreatment. Ella eventually escaped from the reform school and found herself alone during the Great Depression.
Despite the challenges she faced, Ella discovered her passion for singing and performing on the streets of Harlem. In November 1934, she made her debut at the Apollo Theater during an Amateur Night. Although she had intended to dance, she decided to sing instead and drew inspiration from one of her mother's favourite singers, Connee Boswell of The Boswell Sisters. Ella went on to pursue a highly successful musical career, achieving international acclaim and recognition as one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the twentieth century.
Ella and her second husband, famous bass player Ray Brown, adopted a child born to Ella's half-sister, Frances, whom they named Ray Brown Jr. Due to their busy touring and recording schedules, Ray Brown Jr. was primarily raised by his mother's aunt, Virginia.
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Frequently asked questions
Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, though some sources state 1918.
Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia.
Ella Fitzgerald's mother was Temperance "Tempie" Henry (or Williams) and her father was William Fitzgerald.
Ella Fitzgerald had a half-sister called Frances, who was born in 1923.
Ella Fitzgerald aspired to be a dancer.
