The Music Plays On — Ella Fitzgerald

Today is the First Lady of Song’s birthday. Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, on April 25, 1917. Like Frank Sinatra, who was born two years earlier and lived two years longer, Fitzgerald embodied the spirit of twentieth century American popular music. They both did this through impeccable musicianship and a dedication to diction. We always knew exactly what they were singing about, both in meaning and in…