Caption
Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.
Number
2856
Prompt
The gardenia in Billie Holiday's hair could slowly bloom. She could close her eyes and tilt her head back as if lost in a song. A single, shimmering tear could form at the corner of her eye and then disappear, conveying the deep emotion of her music.
Body
This stamp honors Billie Holiday (1915-1959), a vocalist of unparalleled artistry. Holiday's ability to convey deep emotion through her singing was her greatest gift. She had a relatively small vocal range, but her masterful sense of rhythm and her ability to manipulate phrasing made her a true innovator. Her recordings of songs like "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child" are among the most powerful and enduring in the American songbook.