By Fredara M. Hadley, Managing Editor, Musiqology (@fredaraMareva)
Today we celebrate Eleanor Fagan’s 100th Birthday.
Eleanor Fagan is known to most of us as “Billie Holiday” or as “Lady Day” – the nickname that saxophonist Lester Young gave her.
It feels like everyone has a story about how a song sung by this beautiful woman with a limited, yet evocative voice, speaks to some moment in their lives. For me, it was a period in my 20s in which I seemed to have a Billie Holiday song for every mood. Her moods were my soundtrack.
“You Go to my Head” was for loving and sentimental moments.
“No More” was for when I was feeling dismissive and haughty.
“Lover Man” was for when I’d just left a bad date.
“Solitude” was for thesis writing.
“Aint Nobody’s Business if I Do” was for when I had the world on a string.
“Them There Eyes” was for cleaning the house dancing around the house.
Time erodes my memory of the impetus for my Lady Day deep dive. But from that moment until today, listening to Lady Day is never a casual affair for me. There’s something God packed in her voice that speaks straight to my core.
Perhaps it’s how the lilt of her voice is rife with longing. Or how her phrasing is completely in time, yet perfectly disinterested in keeping time. Or how she infused melodic interpretation with truth and life.
Whatever the reason, we’re blessed that she lived and left us such a rich legacy to indulge.
Happy Birthday/International Holiday (in my mind anyway), Lady Day!
Visit NPR’s Billie Holiday retrospective.
Tags: 100th birthday, Billie Holiday, Jazz, singers
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