ABSTRACT

Stuart Nicholson's biography of Ella Fitzgerald is considered a classic in jazz literature. Drawing on original documents, interviews, and new information, Nicholson draws a complete picture of Fitzgerald's professional and personal life. Fitzgerald rose from being a pop singer with chart-novelty hits in the late '30s to become a bandleader and then one of the greatest interpreters of American popular song. Along with Billie Holiday, she virtually defined the female voice in jazz, and countless others followed in her wake and acknowledged her enormous influence. Also includes two 8-page inserts.

chapter 1|12 pages

1917–1950

chapter 2|11 pages

1931–1935

chapter 3|15 pages

1935

chapter 4|16 pages

1935–1938

chapter 5|18 pages

1958–1942

chapter 6|14 pages

1942–1946

chapter 7|17 pages

1946–1947

chapter 8|16 pages

1947–1949

chapter 9|16 pages

1949–1952

chapter 10|17 pages

1952–1955

chapter 11|15 pages

1955–1957

chapter 12|16 pages

1957–1959

chapter 13|15 pages

1960–1966

chapter 14|10 pages

1964–1972

chapter 15|9 pages

1972–1978

chapter 16|21 pages

1978–1993