Ella Fitzgerald

Child hood

Apr 25, 1917

Born on April 25th 1917. Grew up raised by her mother and her step father, tragically her mother died when Ella was young and Ella continued to live with her abusive step father until she went to live with her aunt. Shortly after moving in with her aunt she was sent away to a boarding school. Ella ran away from the boarding school and lived on the streets until she was able to establish her career.

Ella is discovered

Mar 31, 1934

"In 1934 Ella's name was pulled in a weekly drawing she won the opportunity to compete in Amateur Night. Ella went to the theater that night planning to dance, but when the frenzied Edwards Sisters closed the main show, Ella changed her mind. "They were the dancingest sisters around," Ella said, and she felt her act would not compare." then decided to sing and silenced the crowd instantly as they were amazed by her incredible vocals.
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

meeting chick

Jan 31, 1935

At the Tiny Bradshaw band at the Harlem Opera House, It was there that Ella first met drummer and bandleader Chick Webb. Although her voice impressed him, Chick had already hired male singer Charlie Linton for the band. He offered Ella the opportunity to test with his band when they played a dance at Yale University."
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

First hit

Apr 21, 1938

"In 1938, at the age of 21, Ella recorded a playful version of the nursery rhyme, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." The album sold 1 million copies, hit number one, and stayed on the pop charts for 17 weeks. Suddenly, Ella Fitzgerald was famous."
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

first marriage

Sep 27, 1939

"Perhaps in search of stability and protection, Ella married Benny Kornegay, a local dockworker who had been pursuing her. Upon learning that Kornegay had a criminal history, Ella realized that the relationship was a mistake and had the marriage annulled."
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

Ray Brown and Norman Grans

Mar 31, 1946

"While on tour with Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1946, Ella fell in love with bassist Ray Brown. The two were married and eventually adopted a son, whom they named Ray, Jr.
Ray was working for producer and manager Norman Granz on the "Jazz at the Philharmonic" tour. Norman saw that Ella had what it took to be an international star, and he convinced Ella to sign with him. It was the beginning of a lifelong business relationship and friendship."
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

Fame and all its friends

Jul 12, 1946

""I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them," Ira Gershwin once remarked.
Ella also began appearing on television variety shows. She quickly became a favorite and frequent guest on numerous programs, including "The Bing Crosby Show," "The Dinah Shore Show," "The Frank Sinatra Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show," "The Nat King Cole Show," "The Andy Willams Show" and "The Dean Martin Show.""
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

coming to an end

Period: Jan 1, 1950 to Jan 1, 1975

Ella continued to tour and sings her songs for year and year to come, being recognized and rewarded for her work numerous times.

http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html

Saying goodbye to Ella

Jun 15, 1996

"On June 15, 1996, Ella Fitzgerald died in her Beverly Hills home. Hours later, signs of remembrance began to appear all over the world. A wreath of white flowers stood next to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a marquee outside the Hollywood Bowl theater read, "Ella, we will miss you.""
http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/index.html