Tonight Arena presents a film portrait of the greatest of all the jazz singers.
Billie Holiday's tragic story, from her traumatic childhood ' in Baltimore to her premature death in a New i York hospital at the age of 44, is told in the words of her closest friends and colleagues - but mostly through the songs themselves. Arena has assembled an unprecedented number of her filmed performances.
Songs, including 'God bless the child', 'Don't explain' and 'Fine and mellow', are performed with the legendary names of jazz's golden age - among them Lester Young
Louis Armstrong
Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington with Carmen McRae Artie Shaw
John Hammond Leonard Feather
Norman Granz and Alice Vrbsky
Lady Day's maid and confidante of her last years. Producer ALAN YENTOB
Director JOHN JEREMY (R)