Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was a jazz singer born in Philadelphia in 1915, widely regarded as one of the most influential American vocalists of the twentieth century. She built her career in Harlem clubs and recording studios through the 1930s and 1940s, working alongside major figures like Teddy Wilson, Count Basie's band members, and Lester Young. Her style drew from blues and jazz, and her phrasing and emotional depth set a standard that shaped generations of singers after her.