Ella... and All That Jazz

Ninety nine years ago today was born a girl who would change the face of music forever. She was born in the spring, heading into 'Summertime'.

I've heard that song being sung as a lullaby... It probably was for her as well. 

And as she grew up, she played the games that little girls did... 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket'

and enjoyed chewing 'Chew. Chew, Chew (Your Bubblegum)'

The 'First Lady of Song', the 'Queen of Jazz' - Lady Ella Fitzgerald came from humble beginnings possibly singing in the streets of Harlem till she won a contest at the Amateur Nights at the Apollo Theater. But then she probably performed across the length and breadth of America joining people as they 'Take The A Train'

Collaborating with some of the greatest musicians of all time from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and I just love the touch of 'Louis Armstrong' - with songs from the American Songbook. 

Need a lesson in music? Take a lesson from Ella... 

'It Don't Mean a Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing'. From 'Swinging the Blues' to the Samba - the 'One Note Samba' - this is what the call scatting.

Ella Fitzgerald indeed gave her all to music - 'All Of Me'. 

That's one of my favorites that I've tried my voice at. Check our my version at soundcloud.

Back to Ella, we can only cherish all the music she's given us and listen to her advice to  "Dream A Little Dream of Me".