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Billie HolidayJazz singer
Date of Birth: 07.04.1915
Country:  USA |
Content:
Billie Holiday: Revolutionizing Jazz Vocal
Billie Holiday, the first truly popular jazz vocalist with a strong sense of classic blues, fundamentally changed the perception of American jazz vocal. Even today, more than 50 years after her death, it is hard to believe that previous jazz and pop singers rarely personalized the songs they performed, in accordance with the traditions of Tin Pan Alley. Only Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey allowed their recordings to reflect their emotions. It was Billie Holiday's powerful interpretation of this blues tradition that revolutionized popular vocal music. She understood the importance of breaking free from the melody's constraints and adding her own improvisation, much like her favorite musicians Lester Young and Louis Armstrong. However, her style was uniquely her own. Each of Billie Holiday's recordings demonstrated her unrivaled spirit and technique, making her one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century alongside Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
Biography of Billie Holiday
The exact date of Billie Holiday's birth is unknown. According to some sources, she was born in 1915, while others claim it was in 1912. Her father, Clarence Holiday, was a guitarist in the bands of McKinney and Henderson and had to abandon his dream of becoming a trumpeter after being severely poisoned by gas on the battlefield during World War I. He was not married to Billie's mother, Sadie Fagan, and disappeared from their lives when Billie was still an infant. Sadie left for New York in search of work, leaving young Billie in the care of relatives who did not give her the attention she needed.
In 1927, her mother took her back and three years later, Billie began singing in a small club in Brooklyn. According to her autobiography, "Lady Sings the Blues," she and her mother faced eviction from their apartment. In search of a job, Billie ventured to 132nd Street in Harlem, where several small clubs were located. She told the owner of one club that she could dance, although her dancing skills were poor. The pianist, taking pity on her, asked if she could sing instead. Billie performed popular songs of the time such as "Trav'lin' All Alone" and "Body and Soul." Her triumph was complete, and she earned her first paycheck. It is difficult to say how true this story is, but it is certain that Billie started performing in the clubs on 132nd Street.
In 1933, talent scout John Hammond discovered Billie Holiday at one of her performances on 132nd Street. He wrote an enthusiastic column about her in Melody Maker and brought Benny Goodman to one of her shows. Billie recorded a demo for Columbia Studios with Goodman's newly formed band. Her commercial debut, "Your Mother's Son-ln-Law," took place on November 27, 1933. She was invited to perform in prestigious venues, such as the Apollo Theater in Harlem. She also appeared in the film "New Orleans" in 1947, alongside Louis Armstrong. Hammond helped Billie collaborate with small bands led by pianist Teddy Wilson, and they made recordings for jukeboxes.
Billie Holiday worked with many leading jazz musicians, including Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Roy Eldridge, Buck Clayton, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, and Benny Morton. Although the repertoire they recorded for Tin Pan Alley was considered typical and inferior, Billie and her colleagues managed to infuse the songs with energy. The excellent performances by the small bands and Billie Holiday's unmatched temperament gave their recordings a unique touch.
Despite the influence of Tin Pan Alley, Billie Holiday continued to rise above it by adding her own improvisation and harmonic richness borrowed from her favorite trumpeters Armstrong and Young. Her recordings of songs such as "Lover Man," "Don't Explain," and "Strange Fruit," as well as her own composition "God Bless the Child," became some of the most emotional and impeccably performed vocal recordings. In addition to her vocal techniques and purity of voice, which made her one of the best vocalists of the 20th century, Billie had an unmatched temperament that added a distinct color to each of her performances.
Billie Holiday's personal life was often tumultuous, contributing to her legendary status. She struggled with alcohol, marijuana, and opium addiction. Her first marriage to Johnny Monroe ended quickly, and her second marriage to trumpeter Joe Guy involved heroin use. She faced financial difficulties and the death of her mother. In 1947, Billie was arrested for possession of heroin and sentenced to seven months in prison. After her release, she faced further challenges, with her criminal record limiting her opportunities to perform in nightclubs. However, she found support from John Hammond, who introduced her to Barney Josephson, the owner of the racially integrated cafe Society. Billie learned the song "Strange Fruit," which became one of her defining performances, at this club.
Billie Holiday continued to record for various labels, including Columbia until 1942, and then Decca from the 1950s. Despite the impact of her personal struggles on her voice, her recordings in the 1950s showcased her spiritual strength and beauty. Her European tour in 1954 and her autobiography, published in 1956, further increased her popularity. Her last performance took place in 1957 on the TV show "The Sound of Jazz" alongside Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Coleman Hawkins. In May 1959, after experiencing a heart attack, Billie Holiday was hospitalized. She continued to use drugs until her death on July 17. Her body had also been battling liver disease. After her death, Billie Holiday became even more popular, and her biographical film "Lady Sings the Blues," released in 1972, further cemented her legacy.
