Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song

Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) was a gifted American jazz artist. She had a warm and lovely voice, with notable rhythmic sense, versatility, and intonation, as well as exceptional talent at scat singing. Inventing her vocals as she sang, she produced melodic lines that put her in the category of great instrumental improvisers. In a career spanning seven decades, she created a legacy of acclaimed performances and a celebrated body of work.

— from First Lady of Song: Ella at 100

This spotlight showcases objects at the Smithsonian related to Ella Fitzgerald. After Fitzgerald's death in 1996, a selection of her papers and belongings were donated to the National Museum of American History with the aid of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. In addition, the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum are home to additional objects related to Fitzgerald.

Yellow cocktail dress designed by Don Loper and worn by Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald, from the unrealized portfolio "Noble Black Women: The Harlem Renaissance and After"
Black beaded dress designed by Zelda Wynn and worn by Ella Fitzgerald
Triple-image (triple-exposure) picture of Ella Fitzgerald in concert, undated. Black-and-white photoprint.
Down Beat. November 28, 1956. Magazine.
Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Stevie Wonder, and Lou Rawls black-and-white photoprint.
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald, from the portfolio 'O, Write My Name': American Portraits, Harlem Heroes
Untitled (Ella on silk)
Ella Fitzgerald's passport, with black-and-white photoprint
Ella Fitzgerald and Norman Granz at microphone : color photoprint.
Ella Fitzgerald's American Express Company credit card, expired October 1961.
Ella Fitzgerald's royalty statement, October 1, 1956-December 31, 1956. Typed on cream-colored paper.
Passenger ticket coupon for Ella Fitzgerald, issued January 14, 1959.
Musicians and others exiting Sabena airplane. Left to right: Stewardess, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Lou Levy, and Paul Smith, ca. 1956. Black-and-white photoprint.
Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie at "The Penguin Club," Oslo, Norway, February 17, 1956. Black-and-white photoprint.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama : photoprint, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald, 1978
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photoprint, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald with Sarah Vaughan : photoprint, ca. 1950.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photograph, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photoprint, ca. 1955.
Flip Phillips(?), Norman Granz, and Ella Fitzgerald, undated. Black-and-white photoprint
Chick Webb and his orchestra sound recording : featuring Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald -- Downbeat Club -- NYC 1949 black-and-white photoprint
Ella Fitzgerald in Panama: photoprint, ca. 1955.
Ella Fitzgerald onstage with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), Louis Bellson? (drums), undated. Black-and-white photoprint
Ella Fitzgerald walking down steps from stage, also Oscar Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (bass), Herb Ellis (guitar), Buddy Rich? (drums), undated. Black-and-white photoprint