On April 25, 1917, Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia. The great jazz singer eventually became known as “The First Lady of Song” and “The First Lady of Jazz.”
Unlike many other great jazz singers of her era, Fitzgerald is probably remembered for her upbeat optimistic songs instead of sad jazz ballads, although she did those songs justice too. But her childhood was anything but happy.
After moving to Yonkers, New York with her her mother, Fitzgerald’s mother passed away. Thus, the young girl found herself an orphan at the age of fifteen. After running away from an abusive stepfather, Fitzgerald lived in a variety of places, including an orphanage, a reformatory, and on the streets.
But Fitzgerald pursued her dream. She found some success performing at an amateur night at The Apollo Theater in Harlem and later as a regular singer at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom with Chick Webb‘s Orchestra (later renamed “Ella and her Famous Orchestra” after Webb’s death). But it was a nursery rhyme that gave Fitzgerald her first huge hit.
A-Tisket, A Tasket
Fitzgerald, along with Van Alexander, took a nursery rhyme about a little yellow basket and she recorded it as a catchy popular song in 1938. Her version of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” became a huge hit. If you have never heard her swinging original version, you are in for a treat. Check it out.
Fitzgerald performed “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” in her first big screen appearance in Abbott and Costello’s Ride ‘Em Cowboy, a 1942 comedy film. She played a ranch employee, singing the song for other employees on a bus. A complete high-quality clip is not available, but you may see a clip — covered with some narration — on YouTube.
Later Years
For Fitzgerald’s take on a more modern song, check out her performance of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” She performs at the Hollywood Palace in February 1968, with an introduction by Jimmy Durante. Fitzgerald would later perform the song at the 1969 Montreux Festival.
In Fitzgerald’s later years, she suffered a number of health problems. On June 15, 1996, Fitzgerald passed away in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 79.
As for the yellow basket, there was a happy ending. Fitzgerald later recorded a sequel to “A-Tisket, A Tasket” with Chick Webb called “I Found My Yellow Basket.”
What is your favorite Ella Fitzgerald performance? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)