Fitz ‧ ger ‧ ald, El ‧ la /fɪtsˈdʒerəld, ˈelə/ BrE AmE
(1918–96) a US ↑ jazz singer, called ‘The First Lady of Jazz’ because of her beautiful voice and her skill in ↑ scat singing. She was known for performing with bands led by Duke ↑ Ellington , Count ↑ Basie , and Oscar ↑ Peterson , and for singing songs by Cole ↑ porter and George ↑ Gershwin .