Palisadian Fran Morris-Rosman, executive director of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, will show photographs and film, play music, and have one of Ella’s gowns on display when Village Books hosts an evening celebrating the famous singer at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27. The event is being held in conjunction with Jazz Appreciation Month. The foundation, endowed by Fitzgerald, gives away $500,000 annually to organizations that further the singer’s desires. Fitzgerald started the foundation in 1993 and it has continued since her death in 1996. Although most of her memorabilia is on display in the Smithsonian, some is kept in the Rosmans’ home. The items are loaned out to museums all around the world. Drawing from an $8-million endowment, the foundation’s charitable grants go towards music education; medical care and support in specific areas; and helping children in need by providing food, shelter, health care and counseling. Richard Rosman, Fran’s husband, got to know Fitzgerald by working as her attorney in the early 1980s. After Fitzgerald’s death, Fran, a former archivist for the L.A. Music Center, went through all her belongings in her Beverly Hills home and archived the memorabilia. Both Fran and Richard are huge fans of the singer and feel their work is the greatest job in the world. “You have the ability to help people who need help,” Richard told the Palisadian-Post in a 2002 interview. “What greater thing could there be?”
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