About Big Ella
Lived 1934 – 1992 (aged 57–58). Big Ella was a singer and singer-songwriter.
Ervaella "Big Ella" Tate (July 2, 1934 – April 30, 1992), was an American R&B singer and songwriter based in Memphis, Tennessee. She grew up singing in church and became a nightclub singer. Big Ella was known as "Queen of Club Paradise" and she released a few solo records in the late 1960s.
Life and career Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Big Ella began her career singing in church. Her godfather was famed Rev. William Herbert Brewster, pastor of the East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church in South Memphis. She was a choir soloist at the church on Sundays.
While attending Hamilton High School, she played saxophone in the band. She garnered the nickname "Queen of Club Paradise" and sang with various famous touring bands at the club, including Count Basie.
She toured the United States and Europe with various blues and R&B performers such as Albert King, Rufus Thomas, B.B. King, Lou Rawls and O.V. Wright.
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Important facts
People in Big Ella's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Big Ella's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Big Ella?
American R&B singer and songwriter (1934–1992)
When was Big Ella born?
Big Ella was born in 1934.
When did Big Ella die?
Big Ella died in 1992.
What was Big Ella's occupation?
Big Ella was a singer and singer-songwriter.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Big Ella. https://biography.guide/big-ella/
MLA: "Big Ella." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/big-ella/.
Chicago: "Big Ella." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/big-ella/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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