Ella's Stage

About

Born in Newport News, Virginia. Father William left when I was a baby. Mother Tempie moved us to Yonkers, New York. She died when I was fifteen. I was homeless. I slept on the streets. I entered a talent contest at the Apollo Theatre planning to dance -- but the dancers before me were so good I switched to singing on the spot. I won. Norman Granz became my manager and made hotels serve me or lose his entire tour. I recorded the Great American Songbook -- eight albums, one for each major composer. Cole Porter, Gershwin, Ellington, Rodgers and Hart. I defined how those songs should sound. My scat singing -- improvised syllables, the voice as pure instrument -- influenced every jazz singer who came after. They called me the First Lady of Song. I couldn't read music. I could hear it, and that was enough.

Skills

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