Considered by many to be the most memorable of all jazz singers, Billie Holiday remains a household name nearly 70 years after her death. She sang behind-the-beat, which made her controversial in the 1930s – but revolutionary to jazz, and influential to a countless number of singers who followed including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae. More than nearly any other singer, “Lady Day” meant every word that she sang, living many of the lyrics, particularly during the second half of her career when her interpretations could be so quietly expressive as to be heartbreaking. 

As part of the Peabody Award-winning documentary series “Jazz Profiles,” this presentation about Billie Holiday was produced in 2001 by Elizabeth Blair – and narrated by the show host Nancy Wilson. 

The “Jazz Profiles” shows – nearly 200 of them – are part of the Tim Owens Jazz & Broadcast Collection at the University of North Texas Music Library. In a partnership with Tim and UNTML, we’ve picked a handful of noteworthy shows to share with you. You can find more “Jazz Profiles” shows at the UNT Music Library’s Jazz Syndicate (www.library.unt.edu/jazzsyndicate), and learn more about 32 Bar Blues' clothing collection and commitment to the arts at 32barblues.com