The Debate About Billie Holiday

There is a good deal of debate surrounding the beginning of Billie Holiday's life - the basic facts such as her name and place of birth. However, there are a few things that everyone can agree on. Holiday was born on April 7th of 1915, named Eleanora and she spent her childhood in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Holiday's childhood was fraught. She was raised in a single parent household by her mother, Sadie. Her father, the jazz musician Clarence Holiday, left the family during Sadie's pregnancy. Her mother often worked and at age 11, Holiday dropped out of school and joined the work force. The remainder of her years in Baltimore were spent in and out of brothels and jail cells. Jonathan Schwartz tells the complete story. 

The Jonathan Channel is celebrating Billie Holiday’s 100th birthday throughout April with “A Centennial Holiday: 100 Years of Lady Day." Hear the songs that made her a star and the stories that made her a legend - this month on The Jonathan Channel.