Ella Fitzgerald was a famous American jazz singer who was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1917. Her parents were not wealthy, and after her mother passed away when Ella was young, she went to live with her aunt in Yonkers, New York. As a child, Ella loved music and often listened to the radio and sang along with the songs. When she was just 17 years old, she entered a talent show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Ella sang a song called "Judy" by Hoagy Carmichael, and she won the contest. This led to her being offered a job performing with bandleader Chick Webb, marking the beginning of her music career. Over the years, Ella became known as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz." She recorded over 200 albums and won 13 Grammy Awards. Her music was loved all over the world, and she performed for presidents, royalty, and audiences of all backgrounds.