Big Ella

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.