If you have ever listened to jazz, you’ve no doubt heard of Ella Fitzgerald: a woman who made musical history. Known as the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald truly had a voice like no other, best known for her clear tone and impeccable ability to improvise. Some of her songs on my playlist include “Blue Skies,” “Misty,” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” She also collaborated with jazz greats, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Fitzgerald was recognized and awarded for her musical expertise multiple times throughout her life, including four honorary doctorate degrees, the NAACP award for lifetime achievement, and 13 Grammy awards. In fact, she performed at the very first Grammy award ceremony. Ella Fitzgerald paved the way for female artists of color, expanding the audience of jazz music and setting a standard of excellence with her vocal technique. Throughout time, superstars such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce have all spoken of the inspiration Ella Fitzgerald’s music had on their careers. Her commitment to executing her craft with excellence broke down musical barriers, something that female artists are still doing today!

#NationalBarbieDay

What better way to celebrate National Barbie Day (March 9) than to give the Barbie movie soundtrack another listen? The songs in this soundtrack truly aided in setting the feelings for the film, with songs as fun as “Dance The Night” right alongside songs as introspective as “What Was I Made For?” 

#WorldHappinessDay

My favorite feature within Apple Music is the mood-and-activity-based playlist section. The “Feeling Happy” playlist is a go-to for me because of its collection of positive, refreshing, and upbeat picks—some old and some new. The playlist is updated weekly, so the selections never grow stale, perfect for World Happiness Day on March 20.