Meet Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald is one of the greatest female jazz singers of all time Known as the First Lady of Jazz she won thirteen Grammy Awards and sold over forty million albums during a career that lasted more than half a century Ella was born in Newport News Virginia on April 15 1917 Her parents divorced shortly after she was born She and her mother moved to Yonkers New York After her mother died in 1932 Ella ended up in Harlem homeless during the Great Depression Despite the hard times Ella believed she would find success doing what she loved most dancing and singing She scraped together money to visit venues such as the Savoy Ballroom the Harlem Opera House the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater On November 21 1934 17-year-old Ella performed at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night She showed up with unkempt hair a ratty dress and men’s boots on her feet She also needed a bath 4
Ella had planned to dance But at the last minute she decided to sing instead This decision was the pivotal moment in her life and career Ella won the competition But because of her appearance the accompanying week-long singing gig wasn’t offered to her However Ella impressed Apollo band member Benny Carter He introduced her to important people in the music business She was soon offered a weekly gig with the Tiny Bradshaw Band where she met her mentor Chick Webb Four years later her recording of A-Tisket A-Tasket was a number one hit Ella belonged on the stage and was a natural performer She gained advice from and later worked with famous jazz musicians including Duke Ellington Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15 1996 The rough-and-tumble girl who was once living on the streets of Harlem accomplished her dream and left a lasting impression on everyone who has ever heard her sing 5
CHAPTER 1 A FLASH OF LIGHT You can’t be serious Chloe said Parker as he slammed the car door On my birthday I took you to the water park This is the thanks I get You’re eleven I pinched his freckled cheek I’m thirteen I picked something more mature this time Great Just great he said as he kicked a pebble Jazz festivals are boring I sighed Don’t be such a party pooper Mom ignored us as she bopped her head to the rhythm that floated through the air She gave me a thumbs up Now that’s music to my ears Not mine said Parker Stop complaining I said My birthday My choice Mom agreed It’s one afternoon Besides your 7
