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Billie Holiday

Performing Musicians and Vocalists

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia in 1915 and active until her death in 1959, was one of the most influential vocalists in jazz history, known for behind-the-beat phrasing and deeply personal delivery, singing with the Count Basie and Artie Shaw orchestras and with her longtime collaborator, saxophonist Lester Young. Her 1939 recording of Strange Fruit, a song about the lynching of Black Americans, became one of the most powerful protest songs in American music, and her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, was published in 1956; she struggled with heroin addiction for much of her adult life and died at forty-four.

Facts
Classification
Gender
Female 1
Active From Year
1933 1
Connections

In Movement

Jazz, Movements

Foundational jazz vocalist.

Practices

Music, Art Forms
Source Wikipedia: Billie Holiday
In the Other Atlases

Nationality

Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Billie Holiday

Originated In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Source Wikidata: Billie Holiday
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Billie Holiday
  • Gender reference
    Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday made significant contributions to jazz music and pop singing.
  • Wikipedia sections
    Hammond arranged for Holiday to make her recording debut at age 18, in November 1933, with Benny Goodman.
  • Practices: Music, Lead section
    Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday made significant contributions to jazz music and pop singing.
  • In Group: Jazz Musicians and Vocalists, Lead
    Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915, July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer.
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Wikidata: Billie Holiday
Wikidata Q104358, class allow-list match (w-bbfill-artsarchag-0926 resolve_missing)View the Source
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