Billie Holiday

By s874006

  • Start of a Star

    Date of Birth: April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania

  • Humble Beginnings

    A large majority of Holidays childhood was in Baltimore. Her mother, Sadie, was only a teenager when she had her. Her father is widely believed to be Clarence Holiday, who eventually became a successful jazz musician. Unfortunately for Billie, her father was an infrequent visitor in her life growing up.

  • The House of the Good Shepherd

    After altercations at previous schools she was sent to the House of Good Shepherd, a facility for troubled African American girls. Only 9 years old at the time, Holiday was one of the youngest girls there. She was returned to her mother's care in August of that year.

  • Moving Up in the World

    Around 1930, Holiday began singing in local clubs and renamed herself "Billie" after the film star Billie Dove. At the age of 18, Holiday was discovered by producer John Hammond while she was performing in a Harlem jazz club. Hammond was instrumental in getting Holiday recording work with an up-and-coming clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman.

  • Brunswick

    Holiday cut her first record in 1933 at the age of 18. And just two years later she was signed to Brunswick Records by John Hammond.

  • The First

    She was the first black woman to work with a white orchestra when she paired with clarinetist, composer and bandleader Artie Shaw in 1938

  • Thank You Next

    Louis McKay
    m. 1957–1959
    Joe Guy
    m. 1951–1957
    Jimmy Monroe
    m. 1941–1947

  • Black Horse

    She was arrested in San Francisco on drug charges in 1949 she was a heavy drinker and she was introduced to heroin by her first husband, trombonist Jimmy Monroe. Holiday sought treatment for heroin addiction, but was eventually arrested for drug possession in 1947 and ended up serving 10 months in a federal prison.

  • Blowing out a Candle

    On July 17, 1959, Holiday died from alcohol- and drug-related complications.

  • What Billie Did For Me

    Billie holiday was an amazing Jazz Musician who prior to this assignment I knew nothing about. But as I've research and discovered more about her I've gained a new understanding of her life, struggle, and music. She arched a new era of music and not only inspired me but so many others. From her i learned that I can overcome any obstacle.

  • Genius even in Death

    Even after her death her, music and life continue to inspire tributes. From Nina Simone covering “Strange Fruit”; Diana Ross starring as Lady Day in the film “Lady Sings the Blues”; U2 penning their hit “Angel Of Harlem”; her image on a United States postage stamp; Time Magazine’s “Song Of The Century” Award; scores of biographies and a dozen Grammy Awards, her emotive voice, innovative technique and touching songs will forever be a hallmark of genius