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Events on Saturday 15 June 1996 2
1917 – 1996Ella FitzgeraldElla Jane Fitzgerald (25 April 1917 -- 15 June 1996) was an American jazz vocalist widely considered the greatest female jazz singer in history. Known as the First Lady of Song, her voice combined extraordinary technical range (three octaves), perfect intonation, rhythmic precision and an improvisational gift -- particularly in scat singing -- that placed her alongside the greatest instrumental soloists in jazz. Her Songbook series for Verve Records (1956-1964) -- eight albums dedicated to the great American songwriters -- are the definitive recordings of the American popular song tradition. She won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million records.
1996Ella Fitzgerald dies in Beverly HillsElla Fitzgerald dies at her home in Beverly Hills on 15 June 1996, aged 79, from complications of diabetes. She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. President Clinton says: 'Ella Fitzgerald was blessed with a gift that allowed her to speak to our hearts.' Tony Bennett says: 'The greatest jazz singer who ever lived.' Rosemary Clooney says: 'She was so great, she made everything look easy.' The First Lady of Song is gone. The American popular song tradition she embodied and documented in the Songbook series remains her incomparable gift to the world.