Ella Fitzgerald, a pioneering jazz icon and one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, passed away on August 15, 1996 at the age of 78. Fitzgerald began her career as an aspiring teenage singer who eventually rose to become the most celebrated female jazz vocalist of all time. In the 1930s, she joined Chick Webb’s famous band, going on to record more than 400 songs with it. During her long career, she won thirteen Grammy awards and sold well over 40 million copies of her albums. She was one of the first African American musical superstars whose success transcended racial boundaries of the era and she remains a role model for many young singers today. Her unmistakable style and delivery – marked by rich, scatted phrasing and a wide vocal range – influenced all generations of jazz performers and fans and created a legacy that will live on for generations. Ella Fitzgerald will be greatly missed. Additional Sources https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ella-Fitzgerald https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ella-fitzgerald