Born in 1917 and raised primarily in Yonkers, New York and Harlem, Ella Fitzgerald rose to prominence as a jazz vocalist in Chick Webb's big band in the late 30's and early 40's. After Webb passed away in 1939, Fitzgerald assumed leadership of the band and toured and recorded with the group until 1942. In the 1940's, Fitzgerald helped to bring the bebop style to vocal jazz namely through what is known as scat singing. Fitzgerald is remembered for the tenderness and purity of her voice and for her improvisational abilities as a vocalist as well as for her many iconic collaborations with the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, and Joe Pass.