HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY BILLIE HOLIDAY
The late Billie Holiday was an American singer who is considered one of the greatest (and most influential) vocalists in the history of jazz music.
Some of her most well-known songs include “God Bless the Child”, “Lady Sings the Blues”, “Summertime”, and today’s song choice. On July 17th 1959, she died of heart failure at 44 years of age. However, today isn’t about eulogies, it’s about celebrating.
On this very day, April 7th 1915, Eleanora Fagan (known professionally as Billie Holiday) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In celebration of her heavenly birthday, I’ve chosen a song that protests the lynching of Black Americans (with lyrics that compare the victims to fruit growing on trees). If you’d like to have a listen, please feel free to use the provided link. Released as a single (in 1939), here’s the legendary, BILLIE HOLIDAY, with “STRANGE FRUIT”….