It is a fascinating and beguiling musical journey.

The life and career of Billie Holiday was underscored by triumphs and tragedies. One of the greatest artists of her generation, no-one conveys deep emotion better than ‘Lady Day’. Hers was a new jazz voice, influenced by jazz instrumentalists, with its ability to manipulate tempo and phrasing in bold and enthralling ways. The great Frank Sinatra was both a friend and a fan of her music. He said of her in 1958, ‘With few exceptions, every major pop singer in the U.S. during her generation has been touched in some way by her genius. It is Billie who was, and still remains, the greatest single musical influence on me.’ In fact, her legacy carries across the generations, with artists such as Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, and Amy Winehouse citing her as an influence. This collection traces an important six years of her early recording career which built the platform for the huge commercial success