Final answer:
Ella Fitzgerald was known for her wide vocal range, clarity and precision, and scat singing, but not for singing exclusively in a low register, making option d) the incorrect statement about her vocal style.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are true of Ella Fitzgerald's vocal style EXCEPT: d) She sang exclusively in a low register. Ella Fitzgerald was a renowned jazz vocalist known for several distinctive features in her singing style. Indeed, she had a wide vocal range, which allowed her to perform in both high and low registers with ease, contrary to the assertion that she sang exclusively in a low register. Her voice was characterized by remarkable clarity and precision, making her phrasing exceptionally clear and her tonal quality very appealing. Additionally, she was famous for her scat singing, a vocal improvisation technique that uses non-lexical syllables to imitate instruments. This style was one of her signature techniques.
While Ella Fitzgerald's peers in the realm of early blues, such as Bessie Smith, were celebrated for their strong vocal ability and influential performances, Fitzgerald developed her own unique style that contributed to her legacy as one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. Smith, known as 'The Empress of the Blues,' was celebrated for her powerful blues renditions and collaborations with artists like Louis Armstrong. However, it's important to note that Ella Fitzgerald's vocal techniques and range separated her from exclusively low-register blues singing styles, highlighting the inaccuracy of option d).