Ella Fitzgerald Is First African-American to Win Grammy Award – Black History Month

In 1958, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences could not deny the wondrous talent of Ella Fitzgerald. During the Grammy ceremony that year, the jazz singer became the first African-American to win a Grammy award.

She won two that night. One for Best Jazz Performance, Soloist for ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook’ and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook.’

The legendary Ella went on to win 14 Grammys throughout her career and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967.

Listen to Ella Fitzgerald's 'In a Sentimental Mood'