The Divas of Jazz!!! Miss Browning’s Bach to Rock Music Appreciation 11 th -12 th Grade December 11 th, 2005

A Diva Hat Trick Billie Holiday Ella Fitzgerald Sarah Vaughan

Miss Browning’s “quote” of the day! “These women are from a time, when the main requirement for being a singer... when the main requirement for being a singer... Was that you had to be able to sing…” (Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and Hilary duff Have NOTHING on these ladies!)

Billie Holiday (Lady Day) Born Eleanor Fagan on, April 7 th, 1915 Her Mother was 13 and her Father was 15. They divorced when she was 3 years old First Success at The Apollo Theatre on November 23 rd, Limited range (just over an octave) Compensated with impeccable timing, phrasing and emotion Nick Named “Lady Day” Trademark White Gardenia in her hair.

Billie Holiday (Lady Day) One of the 1 st black jazz singers to perform with white musicians. Still forced to use back entrance and wait in a dark room away from the audience. Popular songs: “I cried for you”, “Billie’s Blues”, “My Man”. Miss Browning’s Favorites: “Summertime”, “The Man I Love”, “God Bless the Child”.

Billie Holiday (Lady Day) Drug and Alcohol Abuser  Started with marijuana at an early age Spent 8 months in prison for Heroin possession. Abusive Relationships Ruined her talent and undoubtedly ended her career. Died on July 17 th, 1959 at age 44, with only $0.70 in her bank account.

DRUGS ARE BAD!!!!!! JUST SAY NO!!!!!!!!!

Ella Fitzgerald (First Lady of song) Born April 25 th, 1917 in Newport News, Virginia Grew up poor and homeless Most popular female jazz singer in the USA for more than ½ a century. Voice: Flexible, wide ranging, accurate and effortless. Scat was magnificent. Could imitate every instrument in the orchestra. Won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million records

Ella Fitzgerald (First Lady of Jazz) Big Break: The Apollo Stage Was set to dance but would have been showed up by “The Danciest Sisters around”. – Ella Faced with boos she asked the band to play one of her father’s favorite songs, “Hoagy Carmichael’s Judy”. Audience demanded an encore Went on to work with all of the jazz greats!

Ella Fitzgerald (First Lady of Song) Ella was a very shy and reserved person offstage and away from people she knew well. She was self-conscious of her appearance and her abilities. Onstage, she had no fear!

Ella Fitzgerald (First Lady of Song) Died on June 15 th, 1996 at age 78 (Miss Browning was 15) Recorded over 200 albums and over 2,000 songs. Popular songs: “A tisket a tasket”, “Caravan”, “I’m Beginning to See the Light” Miss Browning’s Favorites: “How High the Moon” “The Boy from Impanema” “The Boy from Impanema” “Summertime” “Summertime”

Sarah Vaughan (Sassy) Born March 27 th, 1925 in Newark, New Jersey Nicknamed “Sassy”, and “The Divine One” 8 years of piano lessons as a child, sang in church Voice: Great range, at least 3 octaves. Powerful Scat Singer Many felt should be an opera singer (strong classical voice)

Sarah Vaughan (Sassy) Won amateur contest at The Apollo Theatre singing “Body and Soul” Got a gig with Earl Hines Big Band, but a musicians strike kept her from recording ( ) Landed 5 year recording contract with Columbia Records (same label as Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey)

Sarah Vaughan (Sassy) Died April 3 rd, 1990 just after her 66 th birthday Recorded about 100 albums Popular Songs: “Lover Man”, “Perdido”, “Sassy’s Blues” Miss Browning’s Favorites: “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Black Coffee”, “Summertime”

Were you paying attention?? Where did all of our divas get their big break?? (hint….it’s on after Saturday Night Live)

Who got it right? The Apollo Theatre Apollo Theatre

What else ya got? Who wore a white gardenia in her hair as her trademark?

Survey Says!! “Lady Day” Billie Holiday

Did you pick up on this? What is Miss Browning’s favorite Song??

It’s all coming back now!! Summertime

You have got to get this one right!! What does Miss Browning say about DRUGS????

Say it together now!!! Drugs are BAD!!!

References The Official Ella Fitzgerald Website (n.d.). Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From Ella Fitzgerald Tribute (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From First Lady of Song (The Ella Fitzgerald Web Site) (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From Billie Holiday from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia (December 6 th, 2005) Retrieved December 4 th The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, /

References A Tribute to Sarah Vaughan (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From santa.com/celebrity/celeb_pages/SarahVaughan.html Sarah Vaughan Page (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From WAER Jazz Greatest Female Jazz Vocalists (n.d.) Retrieved December 4 th, 2005 From Return to Technologies Page Return to Technologies Page