to Featured Artists
| Often thought of as the greatest female jazz singer, BILLIE HOLIDAY (b. Baltimore, MD April 7, 1915; d. NY, NY July 17, 1959) bootstrapped her way out of poverty by singing in Harlem nightclubs when she was fifteen. There, with a limited voice that expressed limitless emotion, she was discovered by John Hammond and Benny Goodman, whose band she soon joined briefly. Through her association with Lester Young, she joined Count Basie's Orchestra in 1937. In 1939, "Strange Fruit" became a hit, but by the mid-40's, problems with drugs and alcohol were undermining many of her efforts. However, in the 50's she did make several comebacks and continued to appeal to many fans with frequent recordings and with her autobiography.
|