Billie Holiday, famed American jazz vocalist, is one of eleven women being inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame later this year, on September 30-October 1, 2011 in Seneca Falls, NY, the birthplace of the American Women's Rights Movement.
Holiday (1915-1959) was considered one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, noted the press announcement, writing:
“Billie Holiday forever changed the genres of jazz and pop with her unique style. Holiday began her career as a singer in Harlem nightclubs in 1931, without formal musical training. She went on to record and tour with a number of famous musicians like Benny Goodman and Lester Young, and officially began recording under her own name in 1936. Holiday, known for her deeply moving and personal vocals, remains a popular musical legend more than fifty years after her death."
Since forming in 1969, the National Women's Hall of Fame has inducted 236 women. The two other jazz musicians who have been inducted were also vocalists: Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith.
Holiday (1915-1959) was considered one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, noted the press announcement, writing:
“Billie Holiday forever changed the genres of jazz and pop with her unique style. Holiday began her career as a singer in Harlem nightclubs in 1931, without formal musical training. She went on to record and tour with a number of famous musicians like Benny Goodman and Lester Young, and officially began recording under her own name in 1936. Holiday, known for her deeply moving and personal vocals, remains a popular musical legend more than fifty years after her death."
Since forming in 1969, the National Women's Hall of Fame has inducted 236 women. The two other jazz musicians who have been inducted were also vocalists: Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith.
