Harlem School of the Arts to Celebrate Elle Fitzgerald's Centennial with 'ELLA 100'

The Harlem School of the Arts joins the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation in celebrating Ella Fitzgerald's centennial, with a special musical tribute, "Ella 100 An Evening of Ella Fitzgerald on Friday, April 21 at 7:00PM.

It is only fitting that Ella, who was discovered while performing on Amateur Night at the Apollo, will be celebrated by two winners of Showtime at the Apollo with StEve Harvey; Matthew Whitaker (keyboardist) and Alexis Morrast (jazz vocalist). Both Matthew and Alexis display, a far-beyond-their-years, grasp of music, and their interpretation of the standards and jazz classics is incomparable.

Joining Matthew and Alexis for this special evening of song in remembrance of one of most beloved vocal stylists to ever grace the stage, will be the Dorothy Maynor Singers under the direction of Ms. Yolanda Wyns, Director of HSA's Music Department.

Ella Fitzgerald's lasting influence on the music world is undeniable. Considered one of the most skilled songstress, with a voice that comes along once in a generation, she changed the music industry with her unique approach to songs. Ella was an iconic stylist whose characteristic phrasing and musicality, inspired an entire generation of singers and new musical artist, including the young talent performing in tribute to her.

Ella 100 An Evening of Ella Fitzgerald will be held on Friday, April 21st , at 7pm. The event will be hosted in the HSA Gallery, 645 St. Nicholas Avenue (at 141st Street) and is FREE and open to the public.

Harlem School of the Arts enriches the lives of young people and their families through world-class training in and exposure to the arts across multiple disciplines in an environment that emphasizes rigorous training, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence, and adds a dimension of beauty to their lives. HSA achieves its Mission on-site at The Herb Alpert Center by offering high quality, affordable, arts training in dance, music, theatre, and visual art to ethnically and socio-economically diverse young people aged 2-18; by providing financial aid and merit scholarships to those who need it most; and by developing key partnerships with other cultural institutions, colleges/universities, and conservatories to prepare our aspiring pre-professional students at the highest possible level.