We mark the 100th anniversary of the birth (April 7th) of one of the greatest voices in jazz on Monday night. This Verve album, from 1957, was perhaps her final great album, as her voice and health deteriorated and her body finally gave out in '59. You can hear the decline in her voice compared to her '30's and '40's work with Ellington, Henderson, Lunceford, Basie, & Shaw, but you can also hear the intense passion she still brought to these songs. And you can hear the all-star lineup here: Ben Webster on tenor sax, Sweets Edison on trumpet, Jimmie Rowles on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass, and Alvin Stoller & Larry Baker on drums. Celebrate Lady Day's Centennial with WNCW.
Monday Night April 6th at 8pm: BILLIE HOLIDAY - Songs for Distingue Lovers
