We’re celebrating the life and career of legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday (affectionately known as Lady Day), who would have rung in her 100th birthday today. Holiday, whose career skyrocketed in the 1930s after being discovered at a Harlem jazz club at the age of 18, was the voice behind countless hit songs, including “God Bless the Child,” “Strange Fruit” (which is sampled on Kanye West’s Yeezus album), and “I’ll Be Seeing You,” which once again wowed listeners following its inclusion in The Notebook.
The singer’s legacy has been immortalized with a film adaptation of the late performer’s autobiography in 1972, which called for Diana Ross to channel the star in Lady Sings the Blues. An on-stage tribute to Holiday, starring Tony winner Audra McDonald, called Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, also made its debut on Broadway last year, proving once again the magnitude of Holiday’s soulful voice and timeless music. In honor of what would have been Holiday’s 100th birthday, we’re taking a look back at the singer’s most unforgettable songs.
“Strange Fruit” (1933)
“Easy Living” (1937)
“All of Me” (1941)
“God Bless the Child” (1941)
“I’ll Be Seeing You” (1944)
“I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone” (1949)
“I Don’t Want To Cry Anymore” (1955)
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