Billie Holiday, 7 April 1915 – 17 July 1959
The woman who was probably the greatest singer in the entire history of jazz died nearly 50 years ago. Apart from her extraordinary voice (limited but incredibly expressive), she tends to be remembered for her “tragic” life, bad choices in lovers and her clashes with the authorities (she was even arrested on narcotics charges as she lay on her death bed in hospital).
She made an indelible impression on all who met her, or even just heard her records. The British jazz critic Max Jones who met her and got to know her when she visited Britain in 1954 and then just before her death in 1959, is typical:
“Soon reports were coming in regularly of her deteriorating condition. At the end of May she collapsed and was taken to hospital, suffering from liver and heart complaints.
“Still harried by the authorities, she died in degrading circumstances at 3 a.m. on 17 July 1959, with 70 cents in the bank and 750 dollars in large notes strapped to her leg. She was, by her reckoning, only 44 years old. And I was halfway through a letter to her when friends telephoned to say she was dead. Though half expecting it, I was devastated by the news.
“But still, we have those many lovely or disturbing recorded performances. They will be a pleasure to my ears for the rest of my life and those of future generations for all time, I guess.”
The actor, Billy Crystal (who, it turns out, is the nephew of Commodore Records’ Milt Gabler, who recorded Billie singing ‘Strange Fruit’ in 1939) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lg9p1″>paid tribute on BBC Radio 2.
Billie is well represented on Youtube, including her incredibly moving 1957 TV recording of ‘Fine and Mellow’ with her old friend Lester Young and the cry of pain and protest that is ‘Strange Fruit.’
But I prefer to remember the young, joyous and defiant Billie of the mid-to-late 1930’s, as featured in this appropriately named little gem (click on the picture below):
Bob said,
July 16, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thanks Jim. Beautiful. The detail 70 cents in the bank and 750 dollars in large notes strapped to her leg is so poignant.
Jim Denham said,
July 16, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for that, Bob. And apologies to everyone for the rather messy links – it’s not that I can’t be bothered, it’s because something strange has happened to my computer. If you persevere you’ll get all the links eventually.
les said,
July 16, 2009 at 3:01 pm
bob, jim–you might be interested in this. the billie holiday monument is going to be rededicated tomorrow in baltimore. here’s a link:
http://monumentcity.net/2009/06/12/billie-holiday-monument-pedestal/
kenya safari cost expert said,
July 16, 2009 at 8:54 pm
extra ordinary talent that she had there,R.I.P,she shall forever be remembered.
Jim Denham said,
July 16, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Listen Add Comments [5] Noted jazz historian Dan Morgenstern, director of Rutgers University’s Institute of Jazz Studies, on the life, music, and legacy of Billie Holiday, who died 50 years ago tomorrow at the age of 44.
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[1] MichaelB from Morningside Heights
July 16, 2009 – 12:45PM
Billy Holiday had a bigger influence on Tony Bennett. Huge.
2] Marianne McHann from Lincoln, NE
July 16, 2009 – 12:47PM
Have been collecting her stories about 30 years. I am mesmerized by her shear presence.
A woman who was aware of who she was and took on challenges. Some that did not turn out so well. Still, fearless.
Her influence on the generations following (especially today) about voice— to use it as an instrument; structure— the lyrics don’t have to be locked into the melody, and yes, please— let that personality and emotion flow through the story.
Music as rich tapestry,
Thank you Billie
Rosie said,
July 22, 2009 at 3:09 pm
If you can avert your eyes from his politics, Steyn has a good piece over here http://www.steynonline.com/content/view/2268/28/ on Billie Holiday and how she could phrase a song like no-one else. A big influence on Frank Sinatra.
Jim Denham said,
July 22, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for drawing my attention to that piece – Steyn certainly knows his Billie (and his Frank, come to that). It’s well worth a read. He has good taste in music, even if his politics are shit. Mind you, some people say the same about me…