Miss Ella Fitzgerald. I miss her.

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist.

About Indifference

ELDER TALK


It is lost today how important it was for these individuals (Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, and other prominent Negroes) to be in the public eye, and why their behavior was, and had to be above reproach.

Prior to the assumptions of these times we tend to make about 20th century, Negroes had to be above reproach at every level of their lives to be above average, and successful in the white world. White people's general assumptions and convictions about Black people were carved into stone, and the preservation of our integrity, and race pride were profoundly important to us. In addition, being killed by white folks, and judged by low evaluation standards made daily life a strategic operation. The sophistication it took to work, and live in those times did not have the assumptions of present day belief structures today's youth seem to embrace.

Black and white kids today believe the lies, the misrepresentation of their histories, and undisciplined where they should be disciplined these young people tend to believe racial equality has occurred without work, or input on their part, or collectively. A deeply felt "Oh, shit!" moment is what they need to wake up from the slumber of their childhood, and what their childhoods failed to introduce them, and prepare them to become!

I can think of, and share a number of things, and expand their worlds in this medium, or in their presence, but I have learned the number of students is but a handful hard to attract. One need not cast pearls to swine. If there is hunger there is want. If there is need there is a seed. If there are seeds to plant the land will ask. If someone wants to die let them die.

These are my words.

Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories
3/27/19

Nate King Cole and Maria Cole.

Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald at the top of their game!

TO YOUNGER CATS: listen!

I studied and listened to her singing deeply. Learning from masters of any craft is very personal, and I took the task seriously growing up while masters like Ella Fitzgerald, were still gigging and being interviewed. It deepened my performances, and honed my craft the way iron sharpens a blade. When a master is alive their new, and their old work vibrates differently. It is because there is always the chance you might meet them, and in the music world you never know who will invite you on stage. - Gregory E. Woods (percussionist) 10/31/18 

Courage takes Truth to Self

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe seated in a club.

During the ‘50s, one of the most popular venues was Mocambo in Hollywood. Frank Sinatra made his Los Angeles debut at Mocambo in 1943, and it was frequented by the likes of Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Lana Turner.


Ella Fitzgerald was not allowed to play at Mocambo because of her race. Then, one of her biggest fans made a telephone call that quite possibly changed the path of her career for good.... Here, she tells the story of how Marilyn Monroe changed her life: “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt … she personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him – and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status – that the press would go wild.

“The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman – a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it."

 

SELF-RESPECT

All is LOVE



Ella Fitzgerald with Marilyn Monroe

“People respect you as much as you respect yourself.”

Ever wonder what it is about some women that commands respect? Is it the way they walk? Perhaps it’s the way they talk? Or maybe it is the way they dress? Some of this may be true, but the real secret to respect is having respect for yourself.

Self-respect is about self-confidence, self-affirmation and self-caring. Be proud of what you do, who you are, what you stand for, where you come from and where you’re going.

When you practice self-respect two things happen. You’re less tolerant of disrespect from others and you set an example of how you expect to be
treated.

Try it, you’ll get amazing results!

Jane Powell 

Black woman Tyra Foxx ... 

Black Lives Matter !



Wynton Marsalis and Miles Davis backstage between sets at the Performing Arts Center on opening night of the 1985 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo by Paul Natkin

Ella Fitzgerald with Marilyn Monroe

 

WANNA GIVE UP?

“Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.” – ella Fitzgerald

THE PRIDE OF OUR CULTURE

Billie Holiday & Ella Fitzgerald.
I found this picture in the galleries of African Heritage City.