Jazz
United States
Billie Holiday
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About Billie Holiday
Hometown
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Born
April 7, 1915
Genre
Jazz
Born Eleanora Fagan, Billie Holiday took her stage name from actress Billie Dove and her father, musician Clarence Holiday.
∙ As a teenager in the early ’30s, Holiday honed her singing talents in Harlem nightclubs.
∙ Her recorded singing debut came on two songs released by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, one of which, “Riffin’ the Scotch,” became a 1934 hit.
∙ In the late ’30s, she sang for big bands led by Count Basie and Artie Shaw.
∙ Released in 1939, her iconic protest song “Strange Fruit” sold more than 1 million copies and became Holiday’s best-known work.
∙ On Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra’s chart-topping 1942 R&B hit “Trav’lin’ Light,” Holiday is credited as Lady Day because she was then under contract at another label.
∙ She had major pop crossover success after signing to Decca Records and releasing the 1945 hit “Lover Man.”
∙ In 2000, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Billie Holiday has also released music as a member of Billie Holiday & The All-Star Jam Band, Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, Billie Holiday & Her Lads of Joy, Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, and Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra.
Musical InfluencesBillie Holiday's musical influences include Alberta Hunter, Annette Hanshaw, Helen Morgan and more.
Influenced by Billie HolidayBillie Holiday has influenced the music of Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Anita Baker and more.
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