Rebecca H. (amichai) reviewed Ella Fitzgerald: A Biography of the First Lady of Jazz on + 368 more book reviews
This is a well-written and very detailed biography of Ella Fitzgerald, emphasizing her artistry as a jazz musician, her work with other luminaries such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra and her origins with Chick Webb's band. I learned a lot by reading this book, although I already loved her amazing voice and consider her body of work an American treasure. (I mean it. When I think of her voice I feel proud to be an American! And to think of the racism she(and other Black musicians) experienced in her lifetime - I find it beyond belief, even though I know it happened.) Now I will keep my eye out for her other recordings - there is a complete discography at the end of this book.
