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Billie Holiday's Voice Was Always Her Own

By Kevin Whitehead

Published April 7, 2015 at 2:51 PM EDT

Billie Holiday was born 100 years ago Tuesday in Philadelphia. Fresh Airjazz critic Kevin Whitehead has some thoughts on Holiday's changing style, her influences, and singers she influenced.

Kevin Whitehead

Kevin Whitehead is the jazz critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Currently he reviews for The Audio Beat and Point of Departure.

See stories by Kevin Whitehead

Stories From This Author

Remembering Roy Haynes, a jazz drummer known for his unfailing good taste

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Haynes, who died Nov. 12, was a heavy hitter, whose limber beat could lift the bandstand. His 65-year recording career was studded with more classics than we have time to even hint at.
Marking the centennial of jazz pianist Bud Powell

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Born Sept. 27, 1924, Powell helped set the style for jazz piano after WWII. While earlier pianists played busy bass patterns, he helped establish a more fragmented, punctuating role for the left hand.
'Fresh Air' marks the centennial of the 'Queen of Blues' Dinah Washington

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