Billie Holiday Band

Eleanora ***an (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), professionally known as Billie Holiday, was an American jazz musician and singer-songwriter with a career spanning nearly thirty years. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Holiday was known for her vocal delivery and improvisation skills, which made up for her limited range and lack of formal music education. While there were other jazz singers with equal talent, Billie Holiday had a voice that captured the attention of her audience

 

So much love for Lady Day.

Lady in Satin, with all the cracks and wear on her voice but her skills undimmed, is an emotionally overwhelming listen.

 

SOOO much love. I went through The Lady Day Collection a bunch over winter break. So incredible.

 

The censor blurs out her surname ha.

 

One of the best Christmas presents I've ever gotten was Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia. 10 discs! I will be processing it for the next decade.

 

My students recognized and could identify "Strange Fruit" in the wild because I played it for them in class. I think that counts a making the world a better place.

 

Was watching The Wire and the episode where Colvin has her on in the car came on. It reminded me that it’s been far too long since I’ve listened to Lady Day, so having a catch up now.