TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Lady Sings the Blues is much more than a song—it’s the title of Billie Holiday’s 1956 autobiography and a window into the life of one of jazz’s most iconic voices.
Holiday’s singing brought raw emotion and storytelling to jazz like few could, turning each note into a personal confession. The phrase “Lady Sings the Blues” captures the heart of her music: the blend of sorrow, resilience, and beauty that made her voice unforgettable.
Beyond the music, the autobiography reveals her struggles with race, addiction, and love, showing how her art emerged from real-life challenges. Holiday’s work reminds us that jazz is not just entertainment; it’s a profoundly human expression, a story of triumph and tragedy sung with honesty and soul.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and South Carolina Public Radio, made possible by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.