Wednesday, April 25, 2012

ella + marilyn.

ella fitzgerald & marilyn monroe listening to jazz at hollywood’s tiffany club, 1955.

“i owe marilyn monroe a real debt.

it was because of her that i played the mocambo,
a very popular nightclub in the ’50s.

she personally called the owner of the mocambo
[who had refused to book fitzgerald because she was black]
& told him she wanted me booked immediately,
& if he would do it, she would take a front table every night.

she told him — & it was true, due to marilyn’s superstar status —
that the press would go wild.

the owner said yes, & marilyn was there, front table, every night.
& the press went overboard.

after that, i never had to play a small jazz club again.
she was an unusual woman — a little ahead of her time, & she didn’t know it.


~ ella fitzgerald~
who would have been 95yo today.



image source: oldhollywood.

1 comment:

Mrs. Blake said...

What an admirable side of Marilyn that's rarely seen. I love that you find these little-known gems to share with us (or maybe you just know them already). Fascinating!