“Not bad for someone who only studied music to get that half-credit in high school.” Ella Fitzgerald born April 25th 1918

Birthday
Jonah an Wyatt ready as backup singers

Ella Fitzgerald, whose sweet, silvery voice and endlessly inventive vocal improvisations made her the most celebrated jazz singer of her generation, her birth certificate and school records show her to have been born, on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Va.

In a career that spanned six decades, Miss Fitzgerald stood above the emotional fray of the scores of popular standards she performed. Miss Fitzgerald communicated a wistful, sweet-natured compassion for the heartache she described.

She amassed countless awards and commendations, including honorary doctorates at Yale and Dartmouth, the National Medal of Arts, and 13 Grammy Awards, including one in 1967 for Lifetime Achievement. In 1979 she was given a Kennedy Center Award for her lifetime in the performing arts.

Accepting an honorary doctorate of music at Yale, she commented with her characteristic modesty, “Not bad for someone who only studied music to get that half-credit in high school.”

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7 thoughts on ““Not bad for someone who only studied music to get that half-credit in high school.” Ella Fitzgerald born April 25th 1918”

  1. definitely I consider Ella an expert, even if she didn’t think that of herself — great post! & what gorgeous doggies!

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  4. I’m not sure Ella would appreciate the dogs as backup singers. However, they do add a lot to the “music” of our lives. Give Rosie a pat from me.

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  5. Rosie is not stimulated much by music. She leaves the room when I play cello… But she’s recently starting “singing back-up” on “Happy Birthday”, which we traditionally sing into our phone for friends and relatives. Probably just being part of the group activity!

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