WKCR is honored to announce a special 24-hour broadcast in celebration of the 97th birthday of one of the most iconic and influential voices in jazz history, Billie Holiday. Tune in on April 7 to WKCR 89.9 FM for a full day of music from the legendary “Lady Day,” whose haunting, soulful voice left an indelible mark on jazz and the American musical landscape.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 7, 1915, Holiday grew up amidst the golden age of jazz, surrounded by the influence of greats like Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith. With a voice that was as beautiful as it was melancholic, Billie Holiday’s music told poignant stories of love, heartache, and the struggle against racial inequality, exemplifying the harsh realities of both racial injustice and misogyny in America.
Holiday’s early years in Harlem exposed her to the thriving jazz scene of the 1920s, where she worked in nightclubs, often accompanying bands and house pianists. It was during this time that she was discovered at the young age of 18 by producer John Hammond, who introduced her to the band of jazz legend Benny Goodman, leading to her first major recording, “Riffin’ the Scotch.”
Holiday’s career took flight after meeting Lester Young, who famously gave her the nickname "Lady Day," and in 1937 she joined Count Basie’s Orchestra. She made history again in 1938 when she became the first African-American vocalist to perform with a white band, Artie Shaw’s Orchestra.
Holiday’s race came to the fore of her music with the recording, "Strange Fruit." "Strange Fruit" was an explicit reaction to the ongoing lynchings in America, and was banned by some radio stations. The song's subject matter was deemed problematic, and it would not be recorded through Columbia, and instead was released on the Commodore label.
WKCR invites listeners to join us on April 7 for a 24-hour celebration of Billie Holiday’s incredible legacy—both in the world of jazz and as an indelible figure in American history. Tune in to WKCR 89.9 FM or stream the broadcast live on our website at wkcr.org. Follow WKCR on Instagram (@wkcr) and Twitter (@WKCRFM) for updates on this special tribute and other upcoming events.
Don't miss this day-long tribute to an artist whose voice continues to inspire and move listeners around the world.
