Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer and songwriter who was known as the 'First Lady of Song'. She was a major figure in jazz music for over half a century, with her career spanning from the 1930s to the 1990s. She won 13 Grammy Awards and was the first African-American woman to win a Grammy Award. She was also the first African-American woman to perform at the White House. Her influence on jazz music is still felt today.