The first-ever collection of interviews with the tortured but ground breaking singer, part of the increasingly beloved series.
Billie Holiday (b. 1915; d. 1959) was perhaps the greatest singer
in twentieth century jazz. Her heartfelt phrasing and
improvisational skills had a seminal influence on the form. She
emerged from a troubled childhood to quick popularity in Harlem
nightclubs, followed by commercial recording success. However,
after drug problems landed her in prison in 1948, she lost her
cabaret license, which meant she couldn't perform in the jazz
capital, New York City. This blow compounded problems with her
finances, her health, her reputation, and, devastatingly, her
voice. Despite a few triumphant comeback performances at Carnegie
Hall and some mildly successful recordings, she never fully
recovered her standing, and she died of cirrhosis of the liver in
1959 in a New York hospital-with police stationed at her door to
arrest her on another drug bust should she recover. Holiday was the
recipient of four Grammy awards-all of them posthumous.
Khanya Mtshali introduction is a writer and journalist from
Johannesburg, South Africa. She writes about fashion, history,
politics, race, gender, and books. Her work has been featured in
The Guardian, The Outline, Timeline, Bookforum, The Rumpus, Quartz,
Glamour, and The Daily Maverick.
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