Apparently 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 a real 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...This story is from Woman of Colour webpage. I
always loved Monroe and never passed judgement on her, now I know that
somehow I was able to see her noble spirit behind the dumb blonde act.
~Emine
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
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