TX 9pm, Friday 16th November 2007 on BBC4
Celebrating the life and work of iconic jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most popular artists of the 20th Century. The programme looks at Fitzgerald's 50-year career from her winning turn at the Harlem Apollo's Amatuer Night, aged 17, in 1934 through her rise as the definitive exponent of scat singing, her celebrated Songbook albums and triumphant stage career which continued almost up until Fitzgerald's death from diabetes in 1996.
Mixing classic and rarely seen archive footage of Ella in full flight alongside interviews with her closest friends and collaborators, the programme uncovers revelations about her childhood which make her subsequent achievements all the more remarkable. Featured also are tributes from artists including Cleo Laine and David McAlmont, who have drawn inspiration from the singer who is justifiably called “The First Lady of Song".
Producer/Director: Paul Bernays
Executive Producer: Jez Nelson
A Somethin' Else production for BBC4
Celebrating the life and work of iconic jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most popular artists of the 20th Century. The programme looks at Fitzgerald's 50-year career from her winning turn at the Harlem Apollo's Amatuer Night, aged 17, in 1934 through her rise as the definitive exponent of scat singing, her celebrated Songbook albums and triumphant stage career which continued almost up until Fitzgerald's death from diabetes in 1996.
Mixing classic and rarely seen archive footage of Ella in full flight alongside interviews with her closest friends and collaborators, the programme uncovers revelations about her childhood which make her subsequent achievements all the more remarkable. Featured also are tributes from artists including Cleo Laine and David McAlmont, who have drawn inspiration from the singer who is justifiably called “The First Lady of Song".
Producer/Director: Paul Bernays
Executive Producer: Jez Nelson
A Somethin' Else production for BBC4
For more information contact All About Jazz.
