Billie Holiday died 50 years ago today. She was 44.
Considered by many to be the greatest jazz vocalist of all time, Billie Holiday lived a tempestuous and difficult life. Her singing expressed an incredible depth of emotion that spoke of hard times and injustice as well as triumph. Though her career was relatively short and often erratic, she left behind a body of work as great as any vocalist before or since.
Or ever.
Treat yourself [opens iTunes].
I’m the sort of person who thought I should own some Billie Holiday music, so I did. Then in my 30’s, I finally grew up enough to actually listen to her.
Wow.
I’m in complete agreement that this should be a National Holiday, I’ve got her on right now in homage.