Ella Fitzgerald

USA, 1934–1993

American singer (1917-1996), billed as the First Lady of Song, known for clear tone, precise diction and scat improvisation. Her Great American Songbook series and swing-era recordings were widely influential on later vocalists.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Ella Fitzgerald and 4 artists Ella Fitzgerald influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Ella Fitzgerald?

• The Boswell Sisters — Ella idolised the Boswell Sisters' lead Connee Boswell above all — she sang along to her records as a girl and won the 1934 Apollo amateur night singing in Boswell's style, saying 'I tried so hard to sound just like her.'
• Louis Armstrong — Louis Armstrong's jazz recordings were among Ella's earliest listening, and his pioneering scat improvisation was the model she took up and made her own.
• Bing Crosby — Bing Crosby's relaxed, microphone-era crooning was part of the record collection the young Ella sang along to, shaping her easy, conversational phrasing.

Which artists did Ella Fitzgerald influence?

• Alla Pugacheva — Pugacheva also grew up on Ella Fitzgerald's records, absorbing the phrasing and vocal command of the jazz great into her versatile pop style.
• Dido — Dido has said discovering Ella Fitzgerald at sixteen sparked her interest in singing, shaping her phrasing and love of melody.
• Cyndi Lauper — Lauper grew up on jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald, whose phrasing fed her supple, wide-ranging vocal style.
• Adele — Adele taught herself to sing on records — Ella Fitzgerald for the acrobatics and the scales.