Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday is considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time/ Also known as Lady Day, her autobiography was made into the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues. She was born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time, she's been an influence on many other performers who have followed in her footsteps. Here she is from 1958 with Don't Explain.