April 25 - Ella Fitzgerald (The Musical Birthday Series)

Ella Fitzgerald (25 April 1917 – 15 June 1996) no doubt had many misadventures on stage during her long and distinguished career, but I'm certain neither of the situations described below was among them.

Variations on a Theme

Times a-Changin’

A test of composure befell a

Resourceful young singer named Ella.

While playing a standard

The drummer meandered

And started a jazz tarantella.

Charting the Chorus

At Christmas time Ella Fitzgerald

Found her version of “Sleigh Ride” imperiled.

The band had their charts,

But they altered their parts

Until it became “Hark the Herald”.