R.I.P. ELLA FITZGERALD

Ella Fitzgerald (often referred to as the “Queen of Jazz”) was an iconic singer who was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25th, 1917. She was particularly known for her mastery of scat singing (a vocal improv with wordless syllables and nonsensical words).

Throughout her incredible career, she won an unprecedented 13 Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award (in 1967).

On this very day, June 15th 1996, Ella Jane Fitzgerald died from a stroke (at her home in Beverly Hills, California). She was 79 at the time. In memory of her passing, exactly 28 years ago today, I’ve chosen a song that just feels right for this time of year. If you’d like to have a listen, please feel free to use the provided link. Originally released in 1935, here’s the legendary, ELLA FITZGERALD, with “SUMMERTIME”….