PRJC FREE ZoomJazz Talk: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song with Dr. John Hasse

FREE ONLINE via Zoom: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song with Dr. John Hasse

"Lady Ella" had a celebrated career spanning more than 50 years and is one of the most influential and beloved jazz vocalists in history.

PLEASE NOTE: RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THIS EVENT! YOU MUST REGISTER USING THIS LINK BY 5 PM ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO RECEIVE THE LOGIN INFORMATION TO ATTEND THE EVENT!

Ella. Like a select few other musicians—Elvis, Madonna, Bono—you could recognize her by one name only. Ira Gershwin said he never knew how good his songs were until he heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them. She took an innovation by Louis Armstrong—scat singing—into an art equal to that of instrumental improvisers.

In this lively talk, Dr. John Edward Hasse, author and Curator Emeritus of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution, provides insights into Fitzgerald’s music, personality, and extraordinary journey from shy orphan to beloved world celebrity. Using film and video clips, rare photographs, and original recordings, Hasse traces the evolution and triumph of one of America’s greatest and most beloved singers.
You’ll see rare video footage of Fitzgerald with Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. You’ll hear moving ballads such as Embraceable You and The Man I Love and thrilling performances such as Mack the Knife and How High the Moon. And you’ll learn about her personality, such as the trusting way she welcomed busloads of tourists into her Beverly Hills home and how Marilyn Monroe befriended and supported her.

Dr. Hasse shares anecdotes of meeting Ella at the Smithsonian and securing her archives for the Museum. He personally helped select memorabilia for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Register before 5:00p.m. the day of the presentation to receive the Zoom link. This is a FREE talk, but we appreciate contributions toward the program via "Donation Tickets" which help offset the cost of the program.

The PRJC has been bringing trad jazz and swing music to the DC area for 52 years in the way of concerts, jams, and talks. Our Jazz Talk series centers around early jazz topics and features top musicians and historians. As these are all hosted on Zoom, you can enjoy them wherever you are.

The PRJC began its Jazz Talk series during the pandemic shutdown as a way to support musicians who were less able to work. The series has blossomed into an ongoing project featuring speakers from across the country focusing on trad jazz and swing topics.

Registration for this talk is required by 5pm the night of the event. You will receive the link by email about 30 minutes before the program begins.

You can support the PRJC or our Educational Talks and Concerts with a donation using the Paypal link.

More info is on the Events page of the PRJC web site.

Video recording of the event will be posted on the PRJC YouTube channel after it is completed.

PRJC’s programs are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.