On Wednesday, the legacy of “The First Lady of Song” will be carried forward by young voices from Åsa. Four participants from the music course will honour one of jazz’s most iconic voices: Ella Fitzgerald.

It was no coincidence that Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) earned the titles “The First Lady of Song” and “Queen of Jazz”. After a tough childhood in New York, she went on to become the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than 50 years.

Fitzgerald possessed a unique voice, timing described as phenomenal, and an ability to improvise far beyond the ordinary. During her lifetime she won 13 Grammy Awards, is said to have sold over 40 million albums, and also found success as a songwriter and composer.

Starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 9 April, the most iconic pieces in the singer’s repertoire will be performed at Contrast in Eskilstuna. Invited by Eskilstuna Jazz Club, four singers from Åsa’s music course will take to the stage to pay tribute to “Lady Ella”.

They are Matilda Gramenius, Ella Almfors, Majken Cederholm and Jenny Appelquist, who are sure to get the whole of Contrast swinging. You can see them in the picture above.

They will be backed by a skilled trio consisting of Åsa teacher Anders Persson on piano, Johan Strindberg on double bass and Chris Montgomery on drums. There may even be some surprise guest appearances …

Admission to the concert is SEK 200 for Eskilstuna Jazz Club members and SEK 250 for others.

Text: Henrik Wising