When the 2017 Who’s Who Marquis Award winner, Audrey P. Franklyn talks, people shut-up and listen. If the subject is on her over 40 year career as the first female creative jazz promoter and the “First Lady of Jazz” Ella Fitzgerald then you had better get a glass of wine and grab a seat as you could be in for a long stay. Audrey started her long historical run in the music industry when she was but a teenager at
this time had become and expert at not only rounding up talent but negotiating the when, where and how they would be booked and the costs incurred when producing a show. In essence she was the producer and director for how things started and the end result of those things. The result was always above expectation. Getting results were key in an industry that is based on sales and images and. Audrey has proven that she had the it, amassing sold out concerts, using clever press kits and savvy promotional items that highlighted the illustrious careers of Della Reese, famed Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson and Andre Previn amongst others.
Upon Ella’s returning to the US after a six-week European tour in 1966, Norman Granz offered Audrey a proposal that if she could devise a phenomenal promotional campaign for New York’s Americana Hotel where Ella was scheduled to appear then the position of Ella’s full time promoter would be hers. This was a dream come true for Audrey who was more than happy to take on the assignment.
In Audrey’s 30 + career span she there have been many accomplishments, Ella of whom she is most noted for opened doors to prestige from 1959 to 1996, and she continued to work for until Ella’s death in June of 1996.
Unusually gifted, Audrey continued to produce showcases for upcoming artists, who were more than willing to get the attention of Audrey’s high profile audience. In return Audrey was able to secure talent for her prized Cable Network show which she regularly hosted from 1977 to 2014. Her countless interview appearances add up to over 150, Gypsy Rose Lee show of San Francisco being one of her most memorial experiences.
Audrey P. Franklyn, is truly a force to be reckoned with. She has been a cultural enthusiast, a beacon of hope and courage that has proven that success has nothing to do with age, sex, or experience. Success can be gained as Audrey says, through having a mentor, being creative and having fun. Her zest for life and the pursuit of big ideas and creative promotion is something that comes as natural to Audrey as apple is to pie.
Oh and lest we forget, she loves to show off her collection of cool shoes that come in 15 colors, all the way from Portugal.
For more information on Audrey P. Franklyn please search https://wwlifetimeachievement.com/2016/12/12/audrey-franklyn to view a list of her many illustrious accomplishments and view her comments and interesting stories on Facebook.
*All photos of Ella Fitzgerald were provided by, Audrey P. Franklyn and are a part of the Audrey P. Franklyn, historical collection.
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