I was surprised to find that Ella and Marilyn Monroe were pals. According to Ella's official website and some other online sources, Marilyn Monroe was instrumental in booking her for Mocambo.
Despite the outstanding musicality of black musicians, the Mocambo owner was resistant to book Black artists at his establishment. I toast Marilyn Monroe for seeing beyond race and using her powers for good.
“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 (who had refused to book Fitzgerald because she was black), and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, 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 - a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.”
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