Billie Holiday

:For the Canadian broadcaster known professionally as Billie Holiday, see Billie Holiday (broadcaster).

Early career successes

Settling in Harlem, Holiday began singing informally in numerous clubs. Around 1932 she was "discovered" by record producer John Hammond at a club called Monette's (there is still some dispute among historians about who was the first to hear and publicise her, although it is generally agreed that Hammond was the first). Hammond arranged several sessions for her with Benny Goodman; her first-ever recording was "Your Mother's Son-In-Law" (1933).

Related Topics:
Harlem - 1932 - Record producer - John Hammond - Benny Goodman - 1933

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It was around this time that Holiday had her first successes as a live performer. On November 23, 1934, she performed at the Apollo Theater to glowing reviews. The performance, with pianist (and then-lover) Bobby Henderson, did much to solidify her standing as a jazz and blues singer. Shortly thereafter, Holiday began performing regularly at numerous clubs on 52nd Street in Manhattan.

Related Topics:
November 23 - 1934 - Apollo Theater - Bobby Henderson - 52nd Street - Manhattan

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Compared to other jazz singers, Holiday had a rather limited range of just over an octave. She more than compensated for this shortcoming, however, with impecable timing, nuanced phrasing, and emotional immediacy.

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She later worked with such legends as Lester Young, Count Basie, and Artie Shaw, breaking the color barrier along the way by becoming one of the black jazz singers of that era to perform with white musicians. Nevertheless, she was still forced to use the back entrance and forced to wait in a dark room away from the audience before appearing on stage. Once before an audience, she was transformed into Lady Day with the white gardenia in her hair. She explained the sense of overpowering drama that featured in her songs, saying "I've lived songs like that". Even when she was young and singing trivial pop songs, her unique tone and emotional commitment made her performances special.

Related Topics:
Lester Young - Count Basie - Artie Shaw

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