by Naresh Jotwani
Words can never do justice to individuals who are larger than life.
Why? Firstly, and very obviously, because language is a mere impression or expression of reality, but not reality itself. Secondly, the writer is also limited in his own capacity of imagination and comprehension. A ten litre vessel cannot hold a hundred litres of water. In the same way, an average person cannot fully comprehend – or ‘take in’ – the life and accomplishments of a giant such as Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong.
With that in mind, this very brief introduction should be seen as a tribute.
Ella and Louis lived their life with immense talent, spirit, energy, struggle and determination. With their music, they won the hearts of hundreds of millions, and changed the character of western music. These two, and other musicians of that genre, had a major transformative effect on western society.
So why are these two not treated as historical figures? Well, quite simply because historians choose to concern themselves more with wealth, power, dynasties, war et cetera. Scholarship today has become highly specialized and divided into tight compartments. Thus a ‘musicologist’ may miss the impact of a whole class of talented musicians on popular culture. In the writer’s humble opinion, however, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong had more influence on people and culture in the US than did most US presidents.
Both these artists rose from very humble backgrounds, and through difficult childhood. The photos below from their from younger years may be compared with the theme picture above from their prime years; the comparison reminds us of their decades of total commitment to lively, innovative music.
Over time, Louis Armstrong came to be regarded as the Founding father of jazz, while Ella Fitzgerald came to be known as the Queen of jazz. The relationship between them was professional, and full of mutual respect. Both were strong, independent minded individuals, totally committed to their profession. There was never any so-called ‘romantic’ aspect to their relationship.
More information about Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong may be obtained from Wikipedia, and from the respective two websites here and here. A program produced by Hungarian TV in 1965 (here) shows how popular Louis Armstrong was even in a so-called ‘eastern block’ communist country.
[Photo credits: Verve Records, Wikipedia, ellafitzgerald.com]
seeker-of-root-causes 
Known for their talent, energy, and determination, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong were two towering figures in Western music and society. Reflecting on this article has led me to confront my biases and prejudices during my journey of self-discovery, particularly through my exploration of “Me and Myself.” It has made me aware of how deeply ingrained racial prejudices, shaped by media and Western narratives, have influenced my views on human dignity and cultural differences, often overshadowing the recognition of talent, creativity, and excellence—especially when it comes to non-white artists.
History often ignores their profound impact on culture and society by emphasizing wealth, power, and political figures. Naresh Jotwani argues that Ella and Louis had a greater influence on American culture than many U.S. presidents, yet they are rarely considered historical figures. This reflection is a tribute to their legacy, acknowledging that words alone cannot truly capture the depth of their contributions to music and society.
Brilliant post
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