Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia on April 17, 1915 contrary to the popular belief. Thanks to Donald Clarke's definitive Billie Holiday Biography, "Wishing On The Moon" we now know the correct date & place of her birth. Her early years seem to be almost completely legend & rumor due the inexplicably incorrect bio. "Lady Sings The Blues". It seems only rational to say that due to her upbringing in an unloving home it paved the way for her self distructive lifestyle.
Billie sang in Harlem clubs for awhile & before she was discovered by, John Hammond. She was then given the opportunity to record a couple of titles w/ Benny Goodman in 1933. Just two years later she got together w/ Teddy Wilson & between 1935 & 1942 she made some of the finest recordings of her career. In 1937 she recorded w/ Lester Young & Buck Clayton and the music that they made was timeless. During 1937 she remained w/ Count Basie's Orchestra & did very well.
In 1939 she was the main attraction at Cafe Society & later that same year she made history recording "Strange Fruit" an anti-racist statement. She also recorded "Fine & Mellow" Billie signed w/ Decca Records (1944-49) & made her biggest hit "Lover Man" & then "God Bless The Child". Other recordings were "Don't Explain", "Good Morning Heartache", "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do", "Them There Eyes" & "Crazy He Calls Me".
Very sadly, just before this time she became addicted to heroine & spent the most of 1947 in jail. After 1950, it was all down hill. She recorded w/ Norman Granz in 1952 & did well but her voice was going, quickly. She drank, did heroine & lived her life going from one unstable relationship to the next.
Luckily in 1957 she got the chance to make a final & increcdible show on the "Sound Of Jazz" telecast w/ "Fine & Mellow" joined by Lester Young. n 1958 the album "Lady In Satin" was a total flop & at 43 she was all washed up. Just one short year later she was arrested for heroine possesion while she lay in her death bed.
What a pity that such an incredibly talented woman's life was so riddled w/ pain. Even w/ her success, the void she felt in her life was never filled, not even by her music.
Till this day Billie Holiday
is recognized as one of the most moving jazz singers of her day.
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