Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer, songwriter, and actress. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo.