Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia, PA

Death

:

July 17, 1959 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was an American jazz singer and songwriter who became one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of jazz music. She was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Sarah Julia "Sadie" Fagan and Clarence Holiday. Her parents were not married, and her father, a jazz guitarist, left the family when she was just a baby. As a result, Holiday grew up in poverty and was raised by her mother and other relatives. Holiday's love for music began at a young age, and she would often sing along to records by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. She dropped out of school at the age of 11 and began working odd jobs to help support her family. In 1929, at the age of 14, she moved to New York City with her mother and began singing in nightclubs in Harlem. Holiday's big break came in 1933 when she was discovered by producer John Hammond while singing at a Harlem club. Hammond arranged for her to record with Benny Goodman, and her first recording, "Your Mother's Son-In-Law," was released in 1933. She went on to record with other jazz greats, including Teddy Wilson and Lester Young, and became known for her unique vocal style, which combined elements of jazz, blues, and swing. Holiday's most famous and enduring songs include "Strange Fruit," "God Bless the Child," and "Lover Man." "Strange Fruit," which was written by Abel Meeropol and first recorded by Holiday in 1939, is a haunting and powerful protest song about the lynching of African Americans in the South. The song was controversial at the time and was banned from many radio stations, but it has since become a classic and is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of the 20th century. "God Bless the Child," which Holiday co-wrote with Arthur Herzog Jr., was released in 1941 and became one of her signature songs. The song is a poignant reflection on the importance of self-reliance and the dangers of relying on others for financial support. "Lover Man," which was written by Jimmy Davis, Roger "Ram" Ramirez, and James Sherman, was first recorded by Holiday in 1944 and has since become one of her most popular and beloved songs. Holiday's personal life was often tumultuous, and she struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism throughout her career. She was arrested several times for drug possession and spent time in jail, which had a negative impact on her health and her ability to perform. Despite these challenges, she continued to record and perform throughout the 1940s and 1950s and remained a beloved and influential figure in the world of jazz music. Holiday's final years were marked by declining health and financial difficulties. She died on July 17, 1959, at the age of 44, from complications related to cirrhosis of the liver. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest and most influential jazz singers of all time, and her music continues to inspire and move audiences around the world.

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