Asked which of her songs most represents her, Billie Holiday recites the lyrics of “Don’t Explain” in an interview excerpted in James Erskine’s documentary “Billie.” The song concludes ...

She then adopted the stage name Billie after Billie Dove. Holiday was discovered at 18 While performing at a local Harlem jazz club, producer Jon Hammond saw the talent in Holiday.

ABDELFATAH: She arrived at the club, got onstage and sang. HARI: Billie Holiday's response, typical of her life, was effectively, screw you. I'm an American citizen. I'll sing what I damn well please.

While she was singing at a jazz club, producer John Hammond discovered Holiday. After they agreed to work together, Hammond and the “Billie’s Blues” performer started recording together.

1915 - 1959 Billie Holiday will always be admired for her ability to communicate the underlying tragedy of life in a song. Her gift for getting to the heart of a lyric and making it her own put her at ...