The first lady of jazz Billie Holiday would have been 100 years old this year.
Eastleigh’s Concorde Club has been paying homage to Holiday who was only 44 when she died but who left a rich musical heritage.
Lady Sings The Blues is part of a much-acclaimed nationwide tour which stopped off at the Stoneham Lane club.
This moving tribute was delivered by the cream of British jazz musicians led by Val Wiseman, twice winner of best singer in the British Jazz Awards.
Holiday bared her soul in many of her numbers which included songs such as That’s Life I Guess, I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues and Good Morning Heartache.
There was also a lighter side to her music with catchy little numbers like Eeny Meeny Miney Mo and What A Little Moonlight Can Do.
In the sad final chapter of her life Billie Holiday was placed under arrest for heroin possession while on her deathbed.
But her music and amazing voice still lives on for many future generations to enjoy.
DUNCAN EATON
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