In honor of the 100th anniversary of 's birthday (4/7/15), I've put together a one-hour special celebrating her work that'll air on Saturday, April 11th at 11pm. You'll hear from jazz vocalist Amy London, former WNOP disc jockey Robyn Carey-Allgeyer, and musician Ron Esposito who interviews about his new book on Billie. There are plenty of songs by Billie Holiday as well as tunes performed by four vocalists who recorded tribute albums of her work..., , , and
I talked with by phone about some of her favorite Billie Holiday songs. In the special, she shares a story about "Me, Myself, and I" which you'll hear, as well as "God Bless the Child." Amy also spoke about "Strange Fruit" and You'll find links to those portions of her interview below:
Robyn Carey-Allgeyer talks about the story behind her favorite song recorded by Billie Holiday, "Strange Fruit."
John Szwed wrote a book about the legendary vocalist Billie Holiday entitled . Ron Esposito spoke by phone with him about Billie Holiday and four specific songs: "Strange Fruit," "Gloomy Sunday," "My Man," and "God Bless the Child."
In case you're in NYC later this month, here's an appearance by Mr. Szwed: A discussion with the writers John Szwed, Farah Jasmine Griffin and Robert G. O鈥橫eally on April 28 at 7:30 p.m., Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue, at 135th Street, Hamilton Heights (taken from nytimes.com)
Later in the show, you'll hear four vocalists who recorded Billie Holiday tribute albums: , "Everything Happens to Me;" , "Good Morning Heartache;" , " Lover Man;" and 's "Some Other Spring." And finally this Billie Holiday special ends with her performance of "All of Me."
**Just added: Cassandra Wilson recently appeared on 海角社区's Jazz Night In America, singing some of the great Billie Holiday music - here's a link to the show:
"Billie Holiday was a keen observer. She saw through lyrics and she saw through people. And she chose what and who she wanted. She sang every song not only as if she had written it herself, but as if she had written it that very morning." - Dr. Maya Angelou...from the Columbia box set,