The legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday changed the face of pop music forever during the 1930s and 40s, imbuing her every song with the richness and tragedy of her own life and experiences. With a troubled childhood, and later an equally difficult romantic life, as well as substance abuse problems, Holiday's personal story ensured her notoriety; yet it was just this sense of pathos that made her music so affecting. With a broad range of emotion that was always intense and heartfelt, Holiday deviated from traditional notions of jazz singing to create her own style of singing that was passionate, poignant, and heartbreaking. THE GENIUS OF LADY DAY collects rare TV clips, as well as her sole appearance in a feature film, playing a maid in Arthur Lubin's NEW ORLEANS (1947). Completing the bill is the extremely rare 15-minute short presenting Count Basie and his Sextet, Billie Holiday, and Sugar Chile Robinson. The documentary also includes footage of Holiday contemporaries Lester Young, Doc Cheatham, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan, Mal Waldron, and others.
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Adult