It's the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald - "The First Lady of Song," "The Queen of Jazz," "Lady Ella."

Click Ella to hear her first hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." She co-wrote the lyrics. (The Chick Webb Band, 1938)

Born April 25, 1917, Ella Fitzgerald was noted for her pure tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, and intonation, and a fluent improvisational ability, particularly in her inventive scat singing. 

A special treat: Count Basie dueting with the walking  bass of Keter Betts on Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose." And Ella soars! But dig the musical intimacy between the Count and The First Lady!

This "clickble" Ella opens to her singing-swinging-scattin' her 1936 hit "(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)."

Ella was noted for her interpretation of The Great American Songbook, i.e., "standards." Here she makes "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" her own. And her swingin' tribute to Louis Armstrong is right-on!

Ella recorded three albums with Louis Armstrong. This "clickable" image connects to their collaboration on "Cheek to Cheek."

Ella recorded four albums with Duke Ellington. His "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" could have been written just for her. Duke and Ella! A mutual groove! 

Her rendition of "Mack the Knife" was a Grammy-winner. Viewing this live performance from Stockholm, Sweden, what hits me is the power of her delivery. Ella had a strong heart! We also get treated again to an Ella-as-Louis impersonation.

Bonus: The link connects to another live performance with Count Basie. The First Lady sings "Lady Be Good."  https://youtu.be/AfMja4l58-k