In the 1950s, a
popular nightclub, Mocambo would not book Ella Fitzgerald because she was
black. Fortunately for Ella, she had a powerful and unlikely benefactor Marilyn
Monroe. “I owe Marilyn Monroe areal debt…it was
because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the ’50s.
She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me
booked immediately, and if he would do it, she promised she would take a front
table every night. She told him - and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar
status - that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was
there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never
had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman - and ahead of
her time and she didn't know it.” - Ella Fitzgerald
May 7, 2012
1 comment:
Sisterhood is a beautiful thing and it has no color. And divine favor works too! :-)
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