Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer from Newport News, Virginia. Whilst battling racism in the 30s to 80s music industry, she made history by becoming the first black woman to win a Grammy. A 13 time Grammy awards winner, Fitzgerald was often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. Her voice flexible, wide-ranging, accurate, and ageless, she sold over 40 million albums. Fitzgerald was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, resplendent intonation, and “horn-like” improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. With a humble beginning, the Queen of Jazz was loved by all, the rich and the poor, the white and the black.