Inspired by the legendary 1956 concerts at which Billie’s music was accompanied by extracts from her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues, this words-and-music show gives a thrilling insight into this immortal jazz talent.
Rowe gives her unique interpretations of the Lady Day catalogue while quoting from Billie’s extraordinary life story, with a stellar band led by pianist MD Alex Webb and featuring Sue Richardson (trumpet) and Denys Baptiste (tenor & clarinet saxophone).
The show includes many of the most well-known Holiday songs, ranging from the optimism of her 1930s work (What A Little Moonlight Can Do, Fine and Mellow) through her 1940s torch songs (My Man, I Cover the Waterfront) to her classics Don’t Explain and Lady Sings the Blues – and, of course, the chilling Strange Fruit.
