Celebrating Lady of jazz at Morecambe’s Platform

The centenary of the birth of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday will be celebrated at the Platform in Morecambe on Friday November 27.

Lady Sings the Blues celebrates the music of Billie Holiday and features Val Wiseman, a former winner of the British jazz award for best vocalist.

Billie, who was born in 1915, enjoyed more than 30 top-20 hits in the USA, including Summertime and The Way You Look Tonight.

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Nicknamed Lady Day Holiday had a huge influence on the jazz scene and her vocal style pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo.

Masters of Jazz . Pic of the young Billie HollidayMasters of Jazz . Pic of the young Billie Holliday
Masters of Jazz . Pic of the young Billie Holliday

Holiday had a tough childhood and escaped being raped as a teen.

Her mainstream success took off when she signed with Columbia records in 1930.

The two hour concert parades some thirty songs from the wonderful Billie Holiday repertoire, including many that are all too frequently ignored.

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They are presented chronologically through the 30s, 40s and 50s, many featuring the original arrangements, and performed with so much style and vitality that you might almost be there.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets, priced at £14, are available online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform.

You can also buy tickets over the phone on 01524 582803 and from the Visitor Information Centres at the Platform in Morecambe and The Storey in Lancaster.

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