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Biography
Dubbed 'The First Lady of Song,' Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums.
Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman. (Or rather, some might say all the jazz greats had the pleasure of working with Ella.)
She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her.
Humble but happy beginnings
Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va. on April 25, 1917. Her father, William, and mother, Temperance (Tempie), parted ways shortly after her birth. Together, Tempie and Ella went to Yonkers, N.Y, where they eventually moved in with Tempie's longtime boyfriend Joseph Da Silva. Ella's half-sister, Frances, was born in 1923 and soon she began referring to Joe as her stepfather.
To support the family, Joe dug ditches and was a part-time chauffeur, while Tempie worked at a laundromat and did some catering. Occasionally, Ella took on small jobs to contribute money as well. Perhaps naïve to the circumstances, Ella worked as a runner for local gamblers, picking up their bets and dropping off money.
Their apartment was in a mixed neighborhood, where Ella made friends easily. She considered herself more of a tomboy, and often joined in the neighborhood games of baseball. Sports aside, she enjoyed dancing and singing with her friends, and some evenings they would take the train into Harlem and watch various acts at the Apollo Theater.
A rough patch
In 1932, Tempie died from serious injuries that she received in a car accident. Ella took the loss very hard. After staying with Joe for a short time, Tempie's sister Virginia took Ella home. Shortly afterward Joe suffered a heart attack and died, and her little sister Frances joined them.
Unable to adjust to the new circumstances, Ella became increasingly unhappy and entered into a difficult period of her life. Her grades dropped dramatically, and she frequently skipped school. After getting into trouble with the police, she was taken into custody and sent to a reform school. Living there was even more unbearable, as she suffered beatings at the hands of her caretakers.
Eventually Ella escaped from the reformatory. The 15-year-old found herself broke and alone during the Great Depression, and strove to endure.
Never one to complain, Ella later reflected on her most difficult years with an appreciation for how they helped her to mature. She used the memories from these times to help gather emotions for performances, and felt she was more grateful for her success because she knew what it was like to struggle in life.
'What's she going to do?'
In 1934 Ella's name was pulled in a weekly drawing at the Apollo and 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.
Once on stage, faced with boos and murmurs of 'What's she going to do?' from the rowdy crowd, a scared and disheveled Ella made the last minute decision to sing. She asked the band to play Hoagy Carmichael's 'Judy,' a song she knew well because Connee Boswell's rendition of it was among Tempie's favorites. Ella quickly quieted the audience, and by the song's end they were demanding an encore. She obliged and sang the flip side of the Boswell Sister's record, 'The Object of My Affections.'
Off stage, and away from people she knew well, Ella was shy and reserved. She was self-conscious about her appearance, and for a while even doubted the extent of her abilities. On stage, however, Ella was surprised to find she had no fear. She felt at home in the spotlight.
'Once up there, I felt the acceptance and love from my audience,' Ella said. 'I knew I wanted to sing before people the rest of my life.'
In the band that night was saxophonist and arranger Benny Carter. Impressed with her natural talent, he began introducing Ella to people who could help launch her career. In the process he and Ella became lifelong friends, often working together.
Fueled by enthusiastic supporters, Ella began entering - and winning - every talent show she could find. In January 1935 she won the chance to perform for a week with 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.
'If the kids like her,' Chick said, 'she stays.'
Despite the tough crowd, Ella was a major success, and Chick hired her to travel with the band for $12.50 a week.
Jazzing things up
In mid 1936, Ella made her first recording. 'Love and Kisses' was released under the Decca label, with moderate success. By this time she was performing with Chick's band at the prestigious Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, often referred to as 'The World's Most Famous Ballroom.'
Shortly afterward, Ella began singing a rendition of the song, '(If You Can't Sing It) You Have to Swing It.' During this time, the era of big swing bands was shifting, and the focus was turning more toward bebop. Ella played with the new style, often using her voice to take on the role of another horn in the band. 'You Have to Swing It' was one of the first times she began experimenting with scat singing, and her improvisation and vocalization thrilled fans. Throughout her career, Ella would master scat singing, turning it into a form of art.
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.
Coming into her own
On June 16, 1939, Ella mourned the loss of her mentor Chick Webb. In his absence the band was renamed 'Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Band,' and she took on the overwhelming task of bandleader.
Legendary Gamblers Names
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.
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.
At the time, 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.
Under Norman's management, Ella joined the Philharmonic tour, worked with Louis Armstrong on several albums and began producing her infamous songbook series. From 1956-1964, she recorded covers of other musicians' albums, including those by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Gershwins, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hart. The series was wildly popular, both with Ella's fans and the artists she covered.
'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.'
Due to a busy touring schedule, Ella and Ray were often away from home, straining the bond with their son. Ultimately, Ray Jr. and Ella reconnected and mended their relationship.
'All I can say is that she gave to me as much as she could,' Ray, Jr. later said, 'and she loved me as much as she could.'
Unfortunately, busy work schedules also hurt Ray and Ella's marriage. The two divorced in 1952, but remained good friends for the rest of their lives.
Overcoming discrimination
On the touring circuit it was well-known that Ella's manager felt very strongly about civil rights and required equal treatment for his musicians, regardless of their color. Norman refused to accept any type of discrimination at hotels, restaurants or concert halls, even when they traveled to the Deep South.
Once, while in Dallas touring for the Philharmonic, a police squad irritated by Norman's principles barged backstage to hassle the performers. They came into Ella's dressing room, where band members Dizzy Gillespie and Illinois Jacquet were shooting dice, and arrested everyone.
'They took us down,' Ella later recalled, 'and then when we got there, they had the nerve to ask for an autograph.'
Norman wasn't the only one willing to stand up for Ella. She received support from numerous celebrity fans, including a zealous Marilyn Monroe.
'I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt,' Ella later said. 'It was because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the '50s. She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him - and it was true, due to Marilyn's superstar status - that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman - a little ahead of her times. And she didn't know it.'
Worldwide recognition
Ella continued to work as hard as she had early on in her career, despite the ill effects on her health. She toured all over the world, sometimes performing two shows a day in cities hundreds of miles apart. In 1974, Ella spent a legendary two weeks performing in New York with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. Still going strong five years later, she was inducted into the Down Beat magazine Hall of Fame, and received Kennedy Center Honors for her continuing contributions to the arts.
Outside of the arts, Ella had a deep concern for child welfare. Though this aspect of her life was rarely publicized, she frequently made generous donations to organizations for disadvantaged youths, and the continuation of these contributions was part of the driving force that prevented her from slowing down. Additionally, when Frances died, Ella felt she had the additional responsibilities of taking care of her sister's family.
In 1987, United States President Ronald Reagan awarded Ella the National Medal of Arts. It was one of her most prized moments. France followed suit several years later, presenting her with their Commander of Arts and Letters award, while Yale, Dartmouth and several other universities bestowed Ella with honorary doctorates.
End of an era
In September of 1986, Ella underwent quintuple coronary bypass surgery. Doctors also replaced a valve in her heart and diagnosed her with diabetes, which they blamed for her failing eyesight. The press carried rumors that she would never be able to sing again, but Ella proved them wrong. Despite protests by family and friends, including Norman, Ella returned to the stage and pushed on with an exhaustive schedule.
By the 1990s, Ella had recorded over 200 albums. In 1991, she gave her final concert at New York's renowned Carnegie Hall. It was the 26th time she performed there.
As the effects from her diabetes worsened, 76-year-old Ella experienced severe circulatory problems and was forced to have both of her legs amputated below the knees. She never fully recovered from the surgery, and afterward, was rarely able to perform. During this time, Ella enjoyed sitting outside in her backyard, and spending time with Ray, Jr. and her granddaughter Alice.
'I just want to smell the air, listen to the birds and hear Alice laugh,' she said.
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.'
After a private memorial service, traffic on the freeway was stopped to let her funeral procession pass through. She was laid to rest in the 'Sanctuary of the Bells' section of the Sunset Mission Mausoleum at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, Calif.
Famous Gamblers In The 19th Century
'Rock 'n' roll has nothing to do with a generation gap any more.
Today, it's really a generation bridge.'
Donny York, co-founder, Sha Na Na
A Rock & Roll Celebration
SHA NA NA brings their rock & roll celebration to town in a dynamic, crowd pleasing show that includes highlights of their four decade journey from WOODSTOCK, the movie GREASE, THE SHA NA NA TV SHOW and their world wide concert touring. In an interactive show where the audience sings along, dances along and participates in a 'Greaser Olympics, a good time is had by all ages. Hey all you greasers, teen angels and party dolls: twist, stroll and hand jive to the classics as performed by the crowned princes of doo-wop and rock & roll, Sha Na Na.
Sha Na Na bio…
Sha Na Na may not have invented rock nostalgia, but the group has successfully – very successfully – celebrated the music and the memories for the past four decades… in concert, in the movies and on TV, and on record.
Sha Na Na's story is an all-encompassing one: they were in the original Woodstock Festival lineup, starred in 'Grease', hosted the 'Sha Na Na' TV series for four years, and still play more than 50 concerts a year, from state fairs, performing art centers, casino showrooms to mega corporate functions world wide.
And through it all – flower power, hard rock, metal music, disco, hip hop, rap and more – Sha Na Na remains true to the original concept: rock & roll is here to stay!
The Sha Na Na story begins oddly for a group that, in appearance, runs the gamut from greaser to gold lame. Attired in turtleneck and blue blazers, the nucleus of Sha Na Na were undergraduate members of The Kingsmen, a glee club ensemble at New York's Columbia University that used to perform a cappella versions of 50s rock songs as part of the performances.
These proved very popular and eventually rock & roll took over, instruments were added and Sha Na Na – the name comes from the 50s Silhouettes' hit, 'Get A Job' – was born.
Heard of Woodstock?...
If the original 1969 Woodstock Festival was a defining moment in rock history, it was also a defining moment in the history of Sha Na Na. The group's appearance – only the eighth in Sha Na Na's career, followed by the Woodstock album and movie, cemented their reputation and style. 'We went on second to last, at sunrise on the final day, but, importantly, just before Jimi Hendrix,' recalls co-founder, drummer Jocko Marcellino. 'We did 40 minutes and were paid $350…and the check bounced!'
Sha Na Na was the only group at Woodstock without a record deal. Immediately afterwards, they had one and today the group has released eighteen albums in total, with worldwide sales of more than 20 million.
TV was another important step for the group…
The group taped 97 episodes of the Sha Na Na music variety shows from 1977 to 1981 that were seen – and still can be – in worldwide syndication. The shows, which featured Sha Na Na's music, plus the group in comedy skits with special guests, further established the group's credentials as a part of the landscape of rock & roll America.
GREASE is still the word for Sha Na Na…
'Grease: The Movie' became another significant building block in the Sha Na Na story. The group appeared in the 1979 musical, as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers, and contributed to the music score with six Sha Na Na versions of rock classics and one original song, 'Sandy,' co-written by Screamin' Scott Simon for John Travolta to sing. (Between takes, Travolta also sang a little doo-wop with the group.)
The accompanying 'Grease' soundtrack album was a major hit, Grammy-nominated and certified eight times platinum.
Recalls Marcellino: 'Whole new generations get swept up in the nostalgia craze, effectively becoming our potential audience.'
For example, Sha Na Na played the immense Los Angeles County Fair in front of a special audience – 20,000 girl scouts! 'They were too young to have seen our TV show, but they had seen ‘Grease' on video. They knew the words to every song from the movie.'
Sha Na Na recently rocked The Hollywood Bowl at this year's Grease Sing –A-Long presented by The Los Angeles Philharmonic hosted by Didi 'Frenchy' Conn with special guest drummer Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. A Hollywood Bowl tradition, the event celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the beloved Grease film, the highest grossing musical film of all time.
Live in concert….
Working for over four decades throughout the world Sha Na Na has performed worldwide: from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry, in Asia and in Africa, London to Tokyo. They have had some interesting newcomers opening for their show, such as: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin and Jay Leno!
Live performances remain at the heart of Sha Na Na. Whether it is those girl scouts or their baby boomer parents, the reaction to the group is the same – the discovery of a common joy in the music from a time when part of the world was 'greased and ready to
rock.'
Sha Na Na Rocks with Symphony Orchestras…
As well as stints with MARVIN HAMLISCH conducting THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY, THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY, and THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY, Sha Na Na has made multiple appearances with PETER NERO & PHILLY POPS, THE COLUMBUS, LOUISVILLE, and PHOENIX symphonies.
Sha Na Na also appeared on The PBS Special A CAPITOL FOURTH with the National Symphony and Choir at the Capital Fourth Celebration in Washington, D.C. The special brought the sights and sounds of the symphony performance to a nationwide audience.
The arrangements for up to a seventy- six-piece orchestra range from the staccato strings of 'Rhythm of the Rain', a lush rhythm and blues 'wall of sound' for 'Soul and Inspiration' and a swinging arrangement of 'Rock & Roll is Here to Stay'.
Of course Sha Na Na invites the orchestras to lose their tuxedo jackets, open their collars and roll up their sleeves. That, that is, to get greased and ready to rock & roll.
Sha Na Na recordings…
Their latest release, 'SHA NA NA GREASER HIGH SCHOOL HOP' features 25 signature songs perfect for an instant high school hop dance party. 'The Bop,' 'The Twist,' 'The Stroll,' 'The Hand Jive,' 'The Monkey,' 'The Jerk,' 'The Cha Cha' and even 'The Hokey Pokey' are amongst the great dances of the ‘50s and ‘60s celebrated by Sha Na Na in this collection. Also included are songs they sang in Grease ('Sandy', 'Rock & Roll is Here to Stay'), The Sha Na Na TV Show ('Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,' 'You Can't Sit Down') and at Woodstock ('At The Hop').
Also in the Sha Na Na catalogue: SHA NA NA 40TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION, ROCK & ROLL DANCE PARTY, ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS (with 'Santa's On A Diet', 'Blue Christmas' and 'The Rockin' Dreidel Song') and Sha Na Na's first completely original Rock & Roll and doo-wop c.d., ONE MORE SATURDAY NIGHT. Sha Na Na CDs are available at iTunes and Amazon.
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Famous Gamblers In History
Jocko Jocko, now in his four decade with Sha Na Na, was the first to walk onstage 'greased and ready to rock ‘n' roll' in 1969. That same year, at age 19, he appeared with the group at the Woodstock Festival. Jocko holds the distinction along with fellow Sha Donny of performing in both the most successful music documentary ever (Woodstock) and the most successful rock and roll film musical ever (Grease). Juggling his schedule around his touring, Jocko earned both a B.A. from Columbia and a Masters in Drama from New York University.When not with Sha Na Na, Jocko is an actor, producer and a songwriter. His acting credits include television's 'Veronica Mars', 'NYPD Blue', 'Alley McBeal', 'The Tiger Woods Story', 'Herman's Head', 'Good Advice', '18 Wheels of Justice', 'The Invisible Man', 'Amazing Stories' and the 'Gary Shandling Show'. His film credits include: 'Rainman', 'National Security' and 'Hot To Trot'. Jocko has also written and performed songs for the films 'Rainman', 'That's Life' and 'The Night Of The Comet'; and television shows 'Golden Boy', 'Once Upon A Time', 'Save Me', 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit', 'The Office', 'Terriers', 'Castle', 'Kath & Kim', 'Parks and Recreation' and ESPN's 'Monday Countdown' ('C'mon Man' theme song). In addition, he performed and produced an arrangement of 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' for the motion picture 'Benchwarmers'. Jocko has produced Sha Na Na's last five CDs. Jocko has a rock ‘n' roll/ rhythm and blues band: Jocko and the Rockets. He has released his original rock & roll children's collection: 'KIDSVILLE' and an original blues and r&b c.d. entitled 'JOCKO- MAKE IT SIMPLE' available at iTunes, Amazon, Google and all other digital stores worldwide. For more information, go to www.jockomarcellino.com. Jocko was born in Quincy, Mass. and toured New England with his high school band, The Pilgrims. He now lives with his family in La Jolla, California. Raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Scott lives in Los Angeles, and has been seen around town performing as part of Art Fein's Elvis birthday parties, Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance, and as an occasional member of Chuck E. Weiss and the GD Liars, the hippest band in town. He is married and has two fabulous daughters. Donny has returned to his North West northwest roots, now living near the Idaho border in Spokane, Washington, where he enjoys skiing and camping in the nearby mountains. When not rockin' with Sha Na NA, Ty drums for John Mueller's Winter Dance Party, a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper and with Mueller and Rockin' Neil Morrow in A Night to Remember, a tribute to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. While Ty cherishes all the places rock-n-roll has taken him over the years -- private parties drumming for Priscilla and Lisa Presley, and landing on an aircraft carrier to play with legendary drummer Doug Clifford of CCR to the delight of USO Troops -- it is his love for the music that keeps him coming back for more. He drums likes somebody who loves what he does, and it shows. And he's sentimental about it too – for years Ty has been cruising his Red and White ‘57 Chevy with big fins and filled to the gills with drums and music. Subsequently throughout his four decade career (working for a lot more than snacks) he has performed and recorded with an array of national and international artists: The Pointer Sisters, Rick James, Stephen Stills, Johnny Hallyday, Veronique Sanson, The Ohio Express and now Sha Na Na. When not touring, Randy works as a producer/ engineer/ guitarist/ bassist at Shut Up & Play studio in California's San Fernando Valley. He also works with The Rescue Riders, an organization he founded that transports and fosters homeless animals. Michael A regular on the Las Vegas and national touring scene, he has performed with the likes of, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Platters, Lil' Elmo and the Cosmos, Shake Rattle and Roll, Launi Kristopher, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88's, the house band at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce Club inside Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, and now Sha Na Na. When not rocking, he is the Coola Suncare Education Ambassador, the Executive Director for the Melanoma Education Foundation Nevada chapter and part time Racecar driver. Michael has a solo c.d.: WITH ALL MY HEART, an original eclectic blend of music from Pop-rock to Jazz-funk, punctuated by a ballad dedicated to melanoma awareness and the memory of his wife Amanda. It is available on CD Baby. Michael's book 'FINDING N-E-D: NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE' is now available from Tate Publishing. It is a heartfelt true story of love, loss, and hope. Diagnosed with malignant melanoma, Amanda Faye Brown started on a long, difficult journey through the disease, and had the wisdom and foresight to gather her thoughts into a journal. Compiling these journal entries and interspersing them with his own thoughts, telling their story from first meeting through marriage to tearful days at the hospital, Michael Brown shares the struggles and sorrows that came with his wife's cancer. Their beautiful, poignant story is a treasure. You can order it from Tate Publishing HERE. |
