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My name is Gary Zidek. Welcome to The Arts Section. Tune into the radio program every Sunday morning on WDCB 90.9 & 90.7 FM or listen to it online here. I'll be showcasing a variety of arts & entertainment stories.

Just One of Those Things: New Documentary Puts Spotlight On Ella Fitzgerald

Just One of Those Things: New Documentary Puts Spotlight On Ella Fitzgerald

WDCB’s Gary Zidek sits down with WDCB mid-day host Leslie Keros to talk about the new documentary, ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Leslie Keros about the new documentary, ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

“She really used her voice as an instrument in a way that few others could match. She could sing in so many different styles, and use her voice in so many different ways,” - WDCB’s Leslie Keros talking about Ella Fitzgerald’s golden voice.

WDCB’s Leslie Keros and Gary Zidek holding an Ella Fitzgerald live album in WDCB’s music library

WDCB’s Leslie Keros and Gary Zidek holding an Ella Fitzgerald live album in WDCB’s music library

A new documentary aims to shed some additional light on Ella Fitzgerald’s life and career. The film, ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS, comes from British director Leslie Woodhead. The documentary features some rarely seen images, audio of past Fitzgerald interviews and a series of special guests to talk about the First Lady of Song.

The one and only Ella Fitzgerald. Photo credit: Getty Images

The one and only Ella Fitzgerald. Photo credit: Getty Images

It’s interesting that a project like this hasn’t been done before. Fitzgerald’s talent is worthy on its own of a documentary, her challenging road to stardom makes her story extremely compelling. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS illuminates Fitzgerald’s remarkable journey from leaving a New York reformatory school as a teenager to being among the most recognizable voices in the world.

Ella Fitzgerald with Marilyn Monroe at L.A.’s Mocambo nightclub. Photo credit: Getty images

Ella Fitzgerald with Marilyn Monroe at L.A.’s Mocambo nightclub. Photo credit: Getty images

ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS is being presented in Chicago through the Siskel Film Center’s Film Center From Your Sofa series, which means you can buy tickets through the Siskel Center and watch the film at home. The documentary will be available to stream starting June 26 (for an open ended run) - go to siskelfilmcenter.org for all the details.

A special Q&A will take place on Sunday June 28 at 6pm CST. Producer Reggie Nadelon and author/music critic Will Friedwald will be joined by author Margo Jefferson and singer Camille Thurman. The Q&A is FREE. You can find more information about it by clicking here.

And check out the trailer for the documentary below:

Get tickets here: https://www.ellafitzgeraldmovie.com/ This Spring, Eagle Rock Entertainment will present Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things, directed...

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