Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Awards & Honours
0
Awards Won
5
Honours
3
Rankings
2
Covers
3
Records
The legacy of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong is measured not in competitive trophies won as a team, but in the lasting impact of their recorded output. Their albums are consistently ranked among the greatest jazz records of all time by critics and publications worldwide. Porgy and Bess holds the distinction of being the first jazz album to sell over a million copies, a milestone that underscored the commercial viability of serious jazz interpretation.Both artists individually hold numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and Presidential Medals of Freedom, but their joint work stands as a singular achievement in music history. The Library of Congress has preserved their key albums in the National Recording Registry, ensuring that future generations can study the technical brilliance and emotional depth of their partnership.
Honours & Distinctions
Grammy Hall of Fame Induction
Induction of tracks from Ella and Louis and Porgy and Bess recognizing their enduring quality.
National Recording Registry
Selection of Ella and Louis (1956) and Porgy and Bess (1959) for preservation as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Both Fitzgerald and Armstrong inducted individually, cementing their foundational roles in music history.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Posthumously awarded to Louis Armstrong by President Ronald Reagan.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded to Ella Fitzgerald by President George H.W. Bush.
Rankings & Lists
500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Greatest Jazz Albums of All Time
Most Influential People of the 20th Century
Magazine Covers
Time
1957-06-10
The New Face of Jazz
DownBeat
1958-03-15
Fitzgerald and Armstrong: A Perfect Match
Records & Feats
First Jazz Album to Sell One Million Copies
Porgy and Bess became the first jazz album to achieve platinum status, selling over a million copies in its initial run.
Longest Running #1 Jazz Album
Ella and Louis spent an unprecedented amount of time at the top of the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart upon its release.
Highest Grossing Jazz Tour of the 1950s
Their joint concert series at the Hollywood Bowl and other major venues generated record-breaking attendance for jazz acts of the era.