Billie Holiday was a trailblazing artist of her era, bursting onto the scene as a cultural phenomenon in the 1950s. Her distinctive, soulful singing voice and unparalleled ability to transform any material into her own unique music catapulted her to superstardom. To this day, Holiday is celebrated for her masterpieces, creativity, and vivacity, as many of her songs remain as beloved and enduring as they were decades ago. Her poignant voice continues to be regarded as one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.
At the tender age of 18, Holiday's remarkable talent was spotted by John Hammond, and she cut her first record as part of a studio group led by the esteemed Benny Goodman, who was on the cusp of stardom. In 1935, Holiday's career received a significant boost when she recorded four sides that went on to become hits, including "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "Miss Brown to You." This led to a recording contract of her own, and she continued to record a plethora of master tracks until 1942, laying the groundwork for early American jazz music.
Between 1952 and 1959, Holiday recorded approximately 100 new tracks on the Verve label, showcasing a more rugged and vulnerable side of her voice. During this period, she embarked on a European tour and made her final studio recordings for the MGM label in March 1959. Tragically, Billie Holiday, a legendary musician still widely revered today, passed away at the age of 44. Her emotive voice, innovative techniques, and poignant songs will forever be remembered and cherished by music lovers around the world.
