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Alumnae Soloists Interview about Ella Fitzgerald in Preparation for the "Ella at 100" Concert

Do you remember the first time you heard Ella?

Faith: I remember when I began studying her, in Canada. I was amazed at how she was doing things with her voice that I had never dreamed of doing. I was still afraid of scat at the time, and thinking, I wish I could do that!

Chelse: When I first heard Ella Fitzgerald, I was a junior in high school. My music teacher, Mr. Lauritzson played me her rendition of "My Funny Valentine." From then on, I was hooked. I listened to her through my final years at School of the Arts. Her voice amazed me.

Brittany: Yes, I was actually in my early High School years when I first learned of Ella Fitzgerald. It was when I first began to sing Jazz as a soloist and I had heard of her certainly, but had never really listened to or absorbed her music. I took a leap of faith and bought a “Greatest Songs of Ella” album. I simply couldn't believe how she could move her voice with such precision and sing with such soul at the same time. She became my example for scat, for tone and for agility. 

In your opinion, what made Ella such a sensation?

Faith: Ella was a sensation because she had an abundance of remarkable qualities. To listen to her was easy, a rich timbre that was fluid, sweet and pleasant to the ear, even as she would scat a thousand notes a minute! To see her was to experience her humility, her warm smile and joie de vivre.

Chelse: Ella could scat, riff and sing these complex melodic lines, all while looking absolutely fabulous. She was a Diva in her own right.

Brittany: In my opinion, it was not only who Ella was, and what she could do but, in fact where she was and when she lived that made her a legend. She was raised in the climate of discrimination of the pre-Civil Rights era, while being a full figured African-American woman with a spin on this newly explored genre of Bebop Jazz. What makes Ella remarkable is that she was the first of “her”. She didn't have a template, she transformed music and the circulating nuances of new Bebop and she birthed a new era of singers in doing so.

How do you aspire to be like Ella in your own performances?

Faith: I'd love to have that facility to scat over any and everything. And the way she uses the textures in her voice makes it so that every song has new elements to discover. I aspire to bring people from different walks of life together, and make the world better the way Ella did by using her gift to its fullest!

Brittany: I aspire to be like Ella in her regal persona of class while performing and her originality. I myself am one who is committed to being a game changer in the world of music by professionally singing different genres (hence my opera and Jazz on the program). She has inspired me to use what I have been God-given to step outside of the set box that the world has shown me.

How do performers like Ella inspire your performance?

Chelse: She inspired me to push myself musically, especially with scatting (I feel I still have a long way to go though).

What is it like coming back to your alma mater during Homecoming weekend and taking center stage again?

Faith: It's great to return to the school that started me down the musical path I am on today! Roberts was my first home in America so it's special in many ways. It will be great to be back on the stage where I got to sing, dance, play a nun, and more. So many good memories there at Hale Auditorium! It will be especially great to sing with and see fellow alum and faculty who make the experience of Roberts as great as it is!!

Chesle: So, coming back to Roberts for Homecoming had to happen. Honestly, Roberts will always feel like home to me. Getting to share the stage with Faith and Brittany is the icing on the cake. 

Come hear these talented ladies sing this weekend on Friday, Setpember 22nd at 7:30pm in Hale Auditorium! For tickets click here !

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