Billie Holiday is one of the most influential jazz singers of her time. Her attitude, determination and most of all her music inspired artists throughout time and inspired major social change. Throughout her lifetime she explored the world of jazz, her identity, and how far the limits of her talent would take her. She exchanged her poor life, full of drugs and scandal for a life of performing the arts and showcasing her talents and abilities. Her incredible determination led her to do what she loved regardless of what anyone thought , which led to her inciting major social exchange; moving black suffering into white consciousness. The Harlem Renaissance would not have been possible if it weren't for the “Great Migration”. The great migration …show more content…
On April 7th 1915, Eleanora Fagan was welcomed into the world by her young, very complicated mother and father. Her mother, a maid, was ejected from her parents apartment after they discovered her pregnancy. Her father, Clarence Holiday, who had his heart set on becoming a famous musician, exchanged his fatherly responsibilities, for a life of touring with his band and being an infrequent visitor. In the few times her father visited her, he made the observation that Elanora was a tomboy, and started to call her Bill. In an effort to be more feminine and in honor of her favorite actress and Baltimorean Billie Dove, Bill was exchanged for Billie, and the star we come to know and love was born. This seemingly small exchange in identity led her to incite major social change and influence many young artists to come. During the Harlem renaissance in which Billie Holiday thrived, culture was changing and eyes were being opened not only to black talent and potential but the injustice done to blacks and their effects on the black community. “Strange Fruit”, one of Billie’s most successful songs, is timeless. It's the song that forced open the ears of white america. Through that song and Billie holiday’s powerful performance, A story crying out to be told was finally spoken and for one of the first times, people were listening. To Bobby Short, the song was “ very, very, pivotal, a way of movingly do
She was named one of the most influential jazz singers ever because even if she was having troubles with her voice she made an amazing performance CBS television broadcast ‘The Sound of Jazz’ and because she was just an all around amazing jazz vocalist. To become famous, she performing in a Harlem Jazz Club when John Hammond, a producer, discovered her and was having her record with Berry Goodman, an up-and-coming clarinetist. Holiday achieved many things in her life. In 2000, she was put in the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ Her single ‘Riffin’ the Scotch’ was in the ‘top 10 hits’ in 1934.
The Harlem neighborhood in New York City became home to more than 200,000 African-American migrants by the 1920s. During World War I, the population of African-Americans in Chicago increased by 150% and in Philadelphia by 500 percent. In 1920’s , an artistic and intellectual movement known as the Harlem Renaissance was created in
She began to sing the gospel at a very young age and enticed her to become a singer. She sang many spirituals in light of the great oppression African Americans were facing at the time. This singing greatly tested her vocal range and prepared her for the high notes she would have to sing as a contralto in Europe. This is where she would become extremely popular and open the door for more African americans to pursue
With her music she brought all Latinos together, genuinely with her music all Latinos connected with her. In huffingtonpost (Web) states that a reason she will never be forgotten and how she impacted Latin american society is by
Her music was very popular during a time of war and listeners reached out to her style of music in order to forget the bad happenings and enjoy good music. Today, she is still considered one of the best jazz vocalists to ever
She left a huge impact on the music played today. Some people say, if it was not for her, we would never have singers like Adele nor Lady Gaga. Nevertheless, we would never have had Frank Sinatra or Janis Joplin who also found inspiration in her. There are many more singers/performers who were influenced by Bessie and her way of singing. However, some people do not know who she was or anything about her.
When he died she was distraught, she had lost a parental figure yet again. The relationship between her and Chick was close to a father-daughter relationship. She was introduced to jazz legends, such as Duke Ellington, when performing with Chick’s band. These pictures are of Chick Web and Ella along with their top chart record from, Ella Fitzgerald: A Biography of the First Lady of Jazz, written by Stuart Nicholson. Another influence in Ella’s life was Norman Granz who kept Ella’s career afloat.
Billie Holiday could be considered one of the most influential women in jazz, if not one of the most influential women in general. She was one of the first to incorporate anti-racist ideals and progressive thoughts through the outlet of music, influencing many others down the road. Her intense desire for equality and change could be due to the immense amounts of hardship during her younger years, which may have very well carried over into her adult singing career. Billie Holiday was abandoned at a very young age as her father was out of the picture and her mother could not care for her, seeing as her mother was only 13 and barely an adult herself (Holiday, 1992). Born in 1915, Holiday was put into the care of her extended family.
In 1915, a woman who would shape the meaning of jazz was born. Her name was Billie Holiday. Her life was marked by tumult and poverty; however, through the many hardships she faced, she remained strong and determined. Today, she is regarded as one of the best jazz vocalists of all time. Her renowned voice was distinct due to her abundant use different tones and with her ever changing range.
Ella Fitzgerald Growing up, Ella had a troubled childhood. She started singing at an Amatuer night and things got bigger. She grew up to be the top female jazz singer for decades. By the 50’s,She became the first african american woman to win a Grammy. She would go on for 12 more Grammys and a Multi Volume “songbooks”.
Many people admired her for her creative idea of adding other cultures in her music, so that she can connect with diverse
Often referred to as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most popular female jazz singers in the United States. Throughout her career, Ella was awarded thirteen Grammys and sold over 40 million albums. With a voice that not only encompassed a large range, but a dynamic and powerful sound, Ella could sing almost anything from scatting to the popular tunes of her day. She performed in the top venues all around the world to packed houses, with audiences as diverse as the music she created. Ella came from a small town and impoverished family, but through her talent and determination, skyrocketed to fame creating a legacy that has withstood the sands of time.
She was a trailblazer, being a successful woman performer in an industry that had been triumphed by men. She performed with then-mainstream superstars like Cab Calloway. She also gained a lot of creative control as to what she wanted to sing where she didn’t have prior. She sang gospel songs in night clubs in her own upbeat way and had exposed gospel music to secular crowds. Amidst of her performance, scantily-clad women danced along with her songs.
In 1938 she shaped a prolonged engagement at Cafe Society; the following year she joined Benny Goodman on a radio broadcast; she was regularly operating the massive New York theaters and the famous 52nd Street clubs, including Kelly's Stables and the Onyx Club all in addition to her recording successes. Two songs of the period are noteworthy: the first, "Strange Fruit," with a haunting lyric by Lewis Allan to which Billie contributed the music, is a graphic depiction of a lynching; her record company,
She did what most other black women would not dare to do. As a dancer and being black Josephine was not supported in racist countries such as the United States and decided to speak up about her challenges. During her time as an activist she spoke up about racism and and worked for the French Resistance. She served as an intelligence liaison and an ambulance driver for the French Resistance, as a result, she was awarded the medal for the Resistance and the Legion of Honor. She became even more praised and respected in France.