Billie Holiday

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Billie Holiday (1915-59) is rightfully considered one of the greatest of all jazz singers. Though her voice had limited range – she was no virtuoso vocalist like Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan – her singing had an emotional impact that is perhaps unmatched. She was born Eleanora in Baltimore toContinue Reading

Billy Eckstine

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Dubbed the (almost certainly racist) ‘Sepia Sinatra’ by the American press, Billy Eckstine (1944-1993) was an influential bandleader, and a singer, whose rich bass-baritone inspired a large number of singers who followed. Born in Pittsburgh, he was singing at church events by the age of 11. His family moved toContinue Reading