Ella Fitzgerald

This biography of Ella Fitzgerald is an account of a poor black girl's determination to realize the American Dream, in the face of constant racial and sexual prejudice. The author discusses key influences in her life, and analyzes, with help from Mel Torme, her technique, style and musicianship.

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This biography of Ella Fitzgerald provides an account of a poor black girl's determination to realize the American Dream, in the face of constant racial and sexual prejudice. It also examines the influences of bandleader Chick Webb and her manager Norman Granz, and the happiness she found with a Norwegian called Thor Larsen, after two failed marriages. Through interviews with Ella Fitzgerald herself, and the musicians with whom she worked, the book reflects the remarkable paradoxes in her life. It also celebrates her music, analyzing and discussing her finest work, and the author's analysis is illuminated with the co-operation of the singer Mel Torme, who provides insights into her technique, style and musicianship. Stuart Nicholson is a journalist and former jazz musician, and the author of "Jazz: The Modern Resurgence".