Ella Fitzgerald music, papers, audio recordings, and artifacts
Creator
Dates
- 1935-1997
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of printed music, including published sheet music and original manuscripts as well as many songs accompanied by personal correspondence. The Topical Files contains a small collection of personal and professional archival materials, and the Realia series includes a dress, glove, glasses, and a statue of Fitzgerald.
Extent
12 Linear Feet (13 boxes and one statue)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Ella Fitzgerald music, papers, audio recordings, and artifacts collection is primarily comprised of more than 1,000 song titles of printed sheet music that the singer either recorded, performed, or read during the course of her career. Jazz is the genre most documented, but significant amounts of popular music from the 1940s through the 1980s are also present.
Biographical / Historical
Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. Her career started at age 17 when she won the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night contest on November 21, 1934, after which she began performing with the Chick Webb Band and recording under the Decca label. It was under Decca that Fitzgerald's 1938 song A-tisket, A-tasket reached number one on the Billboard charts. With Webb's passing in 1939, Fitzgerald began recording under the name Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra.
Arrangement
The Ella Fitzgerald music, papers, audio recordings, and artifacts is divided into three series: Series 1. Printed Music; Series 2. Topical Files; Series 3. Realia.
In addition, there are several boxes of unprocessed materials; please contact archivist for assistance.
General
The collection was previously entitled "The Ella Fitzgerald Collection (MC 104)". The collection title was changed to "Ella Fitzgerald music, papers, audio recordings, and artifacts (IJS-0104)" in 2021.
Creator
- Author
- Anders Griffen and Jarrett M. Drake
- Date
- 2013 March
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Part of the Institute of Jazz Studies Repository
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