Biography

Billie Holiday, originally named Eleanora Fagan, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1915. She grew up living a difficult life, and found refuge in the music of Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. After singing in Harlem Jazz Clubs for a while, John Hammond and Benny Goodman discovered her and played a key-role in her success as a jazz singer. Her melancholic, emotional, and passionate voice led her to work with other legendary jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Teddy Wilson, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Once Billie ventured out on her own, her most famous recordings, such as '“Strange Fruit” and “God Bless The Child”, debuted and became hits in New York City. Shortly after signing with Columbia Records, Billie Holiday passed away at the age of 44. By the end of her career, she was awarded a dozen Grammy Awards and recognized by many more remarkable institutions and organizations.