billie holiday

illie oliday

H

B

aka

"Lady Day"

Lindy Hop

THE

Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 7, 1915

Died in New York City, NY on July 17, 1959

Birth Name: Eleanora Fagan Gough

Legendary

Jazz Singer

and a songwriter and composer

Quick Facts:

Adopted the name "Billie" because of her admiration towards film star "Billie Dove," and last name "Holiday" from her possible father, Clarence Holiday.

Named “Lady Day” by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, a saxophonist and clarinetist.

Her song "Strange Fruit" was based on a poem about lynching written by Abel Meeropol, a Jewish schoolteacher from the Bronx.

The smooth jazz performed by Holiday was just the fit for the dance called___

"A kiss that is never tasted, is forever wasted."_____________________________Billie Holiday

At the age 14, Holiday worked as a maid and later as a teenage prostitute. She didn't begin singing until 1930 when she sang "Body and Soul" to keep her mother from being evicted. Her voice reduced the crowd to tears. This is when her career in music took off. Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1930s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own made her a superstar of her time. On July 17, 1959, Billie was arrested on her death bed for possession of drugs. Later that day, Billie Holiday died of cirrhosis of the liver. In later and recent years, Billie Holiday scooped up many Grammy's, including 5 nominations and 12 awards in a variety of categories. In the year 2000, Billie Holiday was admitted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces and creativity. As many of Holiday's songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday's dynamic voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.

Quote:

*

*