Ella Fitzgerald was born in
Newport, Virginia, on April 25th, 1918.

The most famous Jazz singer of all times also known as “The First Lady of Songs” has been rewarded with 13 Grammy Awards. At the third edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in 1969, Ella was already present, charming her audience with her exceptional voice.

She came back to Montreux four times and gave five concerts at the Casino, with, amongst others, Count Basie, Tommy Flanagan and Jimmy Rowles.

She got blind because of her diabetes, and she was even amputated of her legs in 1993. She died in New York, USA, on June 15th, 1996.

A bronze bust has been unveiled on July 11th, 2007, in the Fairmont Montreux Palace garden. Created by Danielle Lauffer and presented to Claude Nobs by Barbara J Riley.