Billie Holiday - her music has influenced many generations of performers across many idioms. A part of her story will be shared by Pittsburgh CLO at the Greer Cabaret Theater May 17 through June 30th in a new production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring Gabrielle Lee.
About 3 years before Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is set - Billie Holiday’s autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues was published - to great attention, including two related shows at Carnegie Hall in New York on November 10th (and midnight of the 11th), 1956. We have a recording from that triumphant night in New York to share on the program.
Billie Holiday appeared at Carnegie Hall more than 20 times over her musical career. By 1959, in her mid-40’s, things were not going so well - The CLO production Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is set in 1959 in a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, months before her death in August. More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty and often humorous reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music. The opens May 17th through June 30th, Tuesdays through Sundays.
May and June will be very busy on the Pittsburgh Scene - including a return by guitarist Stephane Wrembel at the Original Pittsburgh Winery - Tuesday May 14. Keyboard artist Kayla Waters is at MCG Jazz on Saturday May 11 with her father, saxophonist Kim Waters. We hear new music from them.
Also, new music from Pittsburgh area native, composer, saxophonist, bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey - recorded in Cincinnati a few months ago. The first of Stephen’s two new releases is called “Elemental” and includes featured performances by standout Pittsburgh Stalwards Tony DePaolis (bass) and Reggie Watkins (trombone).
We also light a candle for Mary Lou Williams - her birthday was May 8th - and this weekend, the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center May 11 and 12, hosted by NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater and featuring Eliane Elias, Endea Owens, Ingrid Jensen and Julia Keefe.
November 10, 1956 Flyer - Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall
