Last night I had Billie Holiday's music on. The more I listened to her the more I wanted to find out about this voice that was filling the room with such a beautiful and soulful sound.
"Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1950s.
Holiday's poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.
Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan) grew up in jazz talent-rich Baltimore in the 1920s. As a young teenager, Holiday served the beginning part of her so-called "apprenticeship" by singing along with records by Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong in after-hours jazz clubs.
Holiday began working with Lester Young in 1936, who pegged her with her now-famous nickname of "Lady Day." When Holiday joined Count Basie in 1937 and then Artie Shaw in 1938, she became one of the very first black women to work with a white orchestra, an impressive accomplishment of her time. White gardenias, worn in her hair, became her trademark. Her emotive voice, innovative techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed."
Holiday began working with Lester Young in 1936, who pegged her with her now-famous nickname of "Lady Day." When Holiday joined Count Basie in 1937 and then Artie Shaw in 1938, she became one of the very first black women to work with a white orchestra, an impressive accomplishment of her time. White gardenias, worn in her hair, became her trademark. Her emotive voice, innovative techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed."
(http://www.cmgww.com/music/holiday/about/biography.htm)
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