Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald is and always will be remembered for her contributions to jazz and popular song. Her unique, velvety voice is one of the things that separated her from every other rising star of her time. Her voice made her legendary, elevating her to the ranks of jazz icons Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Over her long career, her voice took her to many different venues, cities, and countries. It even took her to places that many African Americans dared not go in the late 1950s and 1960s, an era of racial segregation. Her undeniable talent, however, allowed her to open doors not only for herself, but for the many African American performers who followed her.

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" is one of Ella Fitzgerald's signature songs.

In this clip from 1980, legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald reflects on her career and a forbidden love. During her 60 year career, Fitzgerald sold 40 million records and won 14 Grammy Awards. She's often referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz".