Billie Holiday(1915-1959)
- Music Artist
- Music Department
- Actress
Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social
phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her
ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own
music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered
for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday's
songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday's
poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz
voices of all time.
At the age of 18 and after gaining more experience than most adult
musicians can claim, Holiday was spotted by John Hammond and cut her
first record as part of a studio group led by Benny Goodman, who was
then just on the verge of public prominence. In 1935 Holiday's career
got a big push when she recorded four sides that went on to become
hits, including "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "Miss Brown to
You." This landed her a recording contract of her own, and then, until
1942, she recorded a number of master tracks that would ultimately
become an important building block of early American jazz music.
Holiday recorded about 100 new recordings on another label, Verve, from
1952 to 1959. Her voice became more rugged and vulnerable on these
tracks than earlier in her career. During this period, she toured
Europe, and made her final studio recordings for the MGM label in March
of 1959. Billie Holiday, a musical legend still popular today, died an
untimely death at the age of 44. Her emotive voice, innovative
techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed
phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her
ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own
music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered
for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday's
songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday's
poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz
voices of all time.
At the age of 18 and after gaining more experience than most adult
musicians can claim, Holiday was spotted by John Hammond and cut her
first record as part of a studio group led by Benny Goodman, who was
then just on the verge of public prominence. In 1935 Holiday's career
got a big push when she recorded four sides that went on to become
hits, including "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "Miss Brown to
You." This landed her a recording contract of her own, and then, until
1942, she recorded a number of master tracks that would ultimately
become an important building block of early American jazz music.
Holiday recorded about 100 new recordings on another label, Verve, from
1952 to 1959. Her voice became more rugged and vulnerable on these
tracks than earlier in her career. During this period, she toured
Europe, and made her final studio recordings for the MGM label in March
of 1959. Billie Holiday, a musical legend still popular today, died an
untimely death at the age of 44. Her emotive voice, innovative
techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed