Billie Holiday (1915-1959) was a trail-blazing musical artist, known as perhaps the first female vocalist to use her voice in the style of jazz improvisation. Recording first with Benny Goodman, she became the first Black female vocalist to front a white band, that of Artie Shaw. She also performed with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. She had long professional associations with saxophonist Lester Young (who named her Lady Day; she called him Prez) and pianist Teddy Wilson. Born to poverty in Philadelphia, she was a victim of sexual assault while still a child and sentenced by the court to a Catholic correctional institution. It was only her first experience with the court, however. She was convicted at age 13 (along with her mother) of prostitution. Subsequent arrests involved possession of narcotics and substance abuse. Despite a turbulent life, abusive relationships, and racism, she prevailed to become one of the greatest jazz and blues artists of her time, before her untimely demise at age 42 from cirrhosis of the liver. In addition to multiple hit recordings, she sold out Carnegie Hall three times. Writer-performer Sybil D. Jatta brings Holidays story to vibrant life in the new show Billie Holiday: Front and Center. Ms. Jatta portrays multiple characters and sings a selection of songs that comprise an array of Holidays greatest hits, among them God Bless the Child, Strange Fruit, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, All of Me, Dont Explain, My Man, Good Morning Heartache, many more. Ms. Jatta is accompanied live by jazz musicians.Directed by B'ANCA. Music director: Casey McCoy.
Ages: 12 to Adult.
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When Billie Holiday died in 1959, she left this world a true Jazz icon, revered for her ability to create stage magic as she expressed deep personal, emotional hurt which governed her entire existence and in turn, spoke to millions worldwide. Known as perhaps the first female vocalist to use her voice in the style of jazz improvisation, it takes a special woman to effectively share Holiday's brutally tragic life story as well as her amazing vocal talents. Such is the combination of skills on display by Sybil D. Jatta as BILLIE HOLIDAY: FRONT AND CENTER now onstage at the WACO Theatre Center in NoHo through Sunday, August 18, directed with heart and soul by B'Anca.
Billie Holiday: Front and Center, the acclaimed show with songs is written and performed by Sybil D. Jatta, directed by B'ANCA, and presented by Champion Club Productions. Associate producer: Linda Bronson-Abbot. Musical director: Casey McCoy.
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