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Billie & me - the stage show
'Billie and Me' is the latest in a new genre of live entertainment created by the convergence of projection and cinematic technology with innovative set design and digital surround sound.
In this magical evening performance, some of the world's most inspirational female musicians, writers and poets gather together to celebrate the spirit of Billie. Live performances, electrifying dance sequences, and reinterpretations of Lady Day's repertoire, mix seamlessly with rare film and audio archive footage and filmed contributions from women artists from around the world. The result is a fascinating tapestry of stories from women's lives, through which the life of one woman emerges fresher and truer than ever before.
The narrative leads the audience away from the 'tragic' figure of Billie found in history, and instead takes them on an astounding and magical journey to find the real Lady Day. This is a story that pays tribute to Billie's innovative and progressive musicianship and her role as the great communicator and poet who sang the story of every woman on the planet. This is a story that considers the work Billie did to raise society's consciousness of racial injustice, whilst at the same time reveals the myths surrounding her personal life, examining what can be learned from this side of her life and how it affected her music making. This is a story that shows how generations of women around the world have followed in her footsteps, and how they have run on in very different ways...
This production is no museum piece or tribute, and this is not a night only for artists who 'sound like' Billie did over 50 years ago. The cast of 'Billie and Me' pay homage in the manner that speaks for them. Classic covers of her music stand side by side with contemporary interpretations from all genres of music: blues, jazz, hip hop, afrobeat and soul.
Classic big swing numbers like I Hear Music and Lover Come Back to Me bring 1930's Harlem back to life with Cotton Club dancers filling the stage. New soulful interpretations of God Bless the Child and Ain't Nobody's Business allow the new urban generation to translate Billie's words into their own understanding. Artists from the colourful global music stage present an afro-latin extravaganza on The Man I Love, whilst gospel and R&B, old and new, drive the sizzling Billie's Blues medley. The horror of all crimes against humanity, through the ages, are laid bare by the gaunt rendition of the powerful anthem Strange Fruit, before the lushness of the Lady in Satin ballads are evoked by classic strings, horns and dancers as the show draws to a close.
Chrissie Hynde
,
Billie's unique singing struck an eternal chord – the thing that inspires all artists and has brought audiences joy for decades.
,
Billie's unique singing struck an eternal chord – the thing that inspires all artists and has brought audiences joy for decades.
Diana Ross,
I felt that, after taking memories from people and places, that Billie Holiday was quite a lot like myself: she was a woman who loved pretty things, she loved her work and she had had quite a few tragedies in her life that made her what she was, but she constantly had to fight them.
,
I felt that, after taking memories from people and places, that Billie Holiday was quite a lot like myself: she was a woman who loved pretty things, she loved her work and she had had quite a few tragedies in her life that made her what she was, but she constantly had to fight them.
Nancy Wilson,
Last year I had the honour of being part of a wonderful musical celebration of Billie Holiday. It was called "Billie and Me". I took on the role of 'narrator' for the production, and as I read the story of Billie to the audience and they listened to the remarkable musical performances, it seemed to me that a story was being told for the first time - the story of who Billie really was and the deeply profound influence she had and still has on women around the world. I truly believe in the power of "Billie and Me" and I would love to see it staged, in a long-running production.
,
Last year I had the honour of being part of a wonderful musical celebration of Billie Holiday. It was called "Billie and Me". I took on the role of 'narrator' for the production, and as I read the story of Billie to the audience and they listened to the remarkable musical performances, it seemed to me that a story was being told for the first time - the story of who Billie really was and the deeply profound influence she had and still has on women around the world. I truly believe in the power of "Billie and Me" and I would love to see it staged, in a long-running production.
Ursula Rucker,
... Certain types of women are type cast - you see them, you look at them, size them up a certain way - and they're really not. And I think that happened to her a lot - the way she looked, the fact she was light and back then a lot of pain and suffering associated with that - it was a burden, it was something she couldn't get away with - so she had to adopt it as her mantra..
,
... Certain types of women are type cast - you see them, you look at them, size them up a certain way - and they're really not. And I think that happened to her a lot - the way she looked, the fact she was light and back then a lot of pain and suffering associated with that - it was a burden, it was something she couldn't get away with - so she had to adopt it as her mantra..
Mica Paris,
There are some songs that I like to listen to, that I don't want to sing. Some of Billie's songs for me are just too sad - and I'm in a mess - I can't go there...there are certain records I really don't think should be touched.
,
There are some songs that I like to listen to, that I don't want to sing. Some of Billie's songs for me are just too sad - and I'm in a mess - I can't go there...there are certain records I really don't think should be touched.
Abbey Lincoln,
Billie Holiday is a famous woman for all the reasons she is. If you talk about a Liz Taylor, or any of the Queens, they've got a dark side that people talk about - but they don't know what they're talking about, they just SAY things. She sang about her grief, we don't have to guess about that. A lot of time people talk about things they really don't know anything about. Yet I don't know of a more beautiful woman than Billie Holiday.
,
Billie Holiday is a famous woman for all the reasons she is. If you talk about a Liz Taylor, or any of the Queens, they've got a dark side that people talk about - but they don't know what they're talking about, they just SAY things. She sang about her grief, we don't have to guess about that. A lot of time people talk about things they really don't know anything about. Yet I don't know of a more beautiful woman than Billie Holiday.
Annie Ross,
I think that her great communication was reality. You could hear her sing something and think ‘Oh my God…. I know how you feel Lady!‘
,
I think that her great communication was reality. You could hear her sing something and think ‘Oh my God…. I know how you feel Lady!‘
Lena Horne,
Terri Lyne Carrington,
Working on "Billie and Me" was one of the most gratifying experiences in my life. I was able to use the many facets of my creative energy to musically enhance Sarah Cropper's concept for this production. I was able to work on it from beginning to end, which is something I had never had the luxury of doing before. Working with all of the incredible singers was a joy and a welcomed challenge. I look forward to a long and fruitful life for "Billie and Me."
,
Working on "Billie and Me" was one of the most gratifying experiences in my life. I was able to use the many facets of my creative energy to musically enhance Sarah Cropper's concept for this production. I was able to work on it from beginning to end, which is something I had never had the luxury of doing before. Working with all of the incredible singers was a joy and a welcomed challenge. I look forward to a long and fruitful life for "Billie and Me."
Yolande Bavan,
I have seen and participated in many shows about Billie Holiday. However, the power, joy and innovative creativity of "Billie and Me" was especially compelling because the performers were all women interpreting in their own styles, her music - yet they were one in their love, respect and admiration for Lady Day: a woman living in those difficult times, transcending sociopolitical mores, racism and sexism. The audience were enfolded in the magical embrace of her Voice, Music, Art and Spirit - my! what a hauntingly magnificent spirit. I know she was present that night, nodding her head, gently approvingly smiling. It was not just Billie and Me, Billie and You, but Billie and the World.
,
I have seen and participated in many shows about Billie Holiday. However, the power, joy and innovative creativity of "Billie and Me" was especially compelling because the performers were all women interpreting in their own styles, her music - yet they were one in their love, respect and admiration for Lady Day: a woman living in those difficult times, transcending sociopolitical mores, racism and sexism. The audience were enfolded in the magical embrace of her Voice, Music, Art and Spirit - my! what a hauntingly magnificent spirit. I know she was present that night, nodding her head, gently approvingly smiling. It was not just Billie and Me, Billie and You, but Billie and the World.
Dianne Reeves,
Her singing was just so deep and so rich and so telling, it was beyond story telling: the ability to just be able to speak to you in an intimate kind of way. And at the young age of 19 and 20 I needed to hear her…
My participation in 'Billie and Me' was both enriching and empowering. Billie's spirit brings every singer who truly listens home to their true selves; Billie's helped me to understand that a voice is not just the sound you hear but the unleashing of the soul. At the end of the tour, the project was no longer referred to as "Billie and Me," but as "Billie in Me."
,
Her singing was just so deep and so rich and so telling, it was beyond story telling: the ability to just be able to speak to you in an intimate kind of way. And at the young age of 19 and 20 I needed to hear her…
My participation in 'Billie and Me' was both enriching and empowering. Billie's spirit brings every singer who truly listens home to their true selves; Billie's helped me to understand that a voice is not just the sound you hear but the unleashing of the soul. At the end of the tour, the project was no longer referred to as "Billie and Me," but as "Billie in Me."
Claire Martin,
If you imagine in those days, the band bus, full of guys asleep and doing whatever else they do...she was great she joined in at the back, and played cards, and probably drank most of them under the table!
,
If you imagine in those days, the band bus, full of guys asleep and doing whatever else they do...she was great she joined in at the back, and played cards, and probably drank most of them under the table!
Dee Dee Bridgewater,
The "Billie & Me" concert was for me probably the most enriching feminine vocal encounter I ever experienced. Headed by Terri Lyne Carrington, as Musical Director, with star musicians, and vocalists from many different musical backgrounds. To have shared the love of Billie Holiday with so many glorious and unique voices, such as Chrissie Hynde, Angelique Kidjo, Yolande Bavan, Neneh Cherry, Fontella Bass and Amy Winehouse was monumental. I thank Terri Lyne and Sarah Cropper for their vision, and for including me in such a majestic collaboration. This project is undeniable proof of the universal impact of Billie Holiday, our "Lady Day".
,
The "Billie & Me" concert was for me probably the most enriching feminine vocal encounter I ever experienced. Headed by Terri Lyne Carrington, as Musical Director, with star musicians, and vocalists from many different musical backgrounds. To have shared the love of Billie Holiday with so many glorious and unique voices, such as Chrissie Hynde, Angelique Kidjo, Yolande Bavan, Neneh Cherry, Fontella Bass and Amy Winehouse was monumental. I thank Terri Lyne and Sarah Cropper for their vision, and for including me in such a majestic collaboration. This project is undeniable proof of the universal impact of Billie Holiday, our "Lady Day".
Debbie Harry,
Cassandra Wilson,
Omara Portuondo,
Susheela Raman,
The way that she would take these lines and somehow the words would really ring true - and it’s a great gift cause I don't think many people can do that - and the simplicity of the delivery. I mean there were other singers around at her time who were far more technical, but she was very simple and instinctive in the way that she sang - and very direct and very emotional - she was really baring her soul.
,
The way that she would take these lines and somehow the words would really ring true - and it’s a great gift cause I don't think many people can do that - and the simplicity of the delivery. I mean there were other singers around at her time who were far more technical, but she was very simple and instinctive in the way that she sang - and very direct and very emotional - she was really baring her soul.
Nneena Freelon,
To allow the cracks to be seen - to not be afraid to be vulnerable. I think many of us when we stand before an audience - we don't want to show the parts that are not so attractive. She allowed us to see everything and was criticised because of it.
She doesn't lay it on so thick, she almost paints with a minimalist brush - and maybe that's what allows you as the listener to step in with your own personal story - she takes you by the hand, and you both sort of walk through this.
,
To allow the cracks to be seen - to not be afraid to be vulnerable. I think many of us when we stand before an audience - we don't want to show the parts that are not so attractive. She allowed us to see everything and was criticised because of it.
She doesn't lay it on so thick, she almost paints with a minimalist brush - and maybe that's what allows you as the listener to step in with your own personal story - she takes you by the hand, and you both sort of walk through this.
Mary J Blige,
I love her and I respect her, and she reminds me of myself - but everyone doesn't get a second chance you know. She means to me, that if you love what you do, you should really believe in what you do - and be strong. I love Billie Holiday.
,
I love her and I respect her, and she reminds me of myself - but everyone doesn't get a second chance you know. She means to me, that if you love what you do, you should really believe in what you do - and be strong. I love Billie Holiday.
Jill Scott,
In her time, there was so much money made and so little offered to the artists - so little - they could barely live - but she did it and she made amazing music throughout that time - I respect that.
Strange Fruit held so much for us as African Americans - so poetic and honest....
,
In her time, there was so much money made and so little offered to the artists - so little - they could barely live - but she did it and she made amazing music throughout that time - I respect that.
Strange Fruit held so much for us as African Americans - so poetic and honest....
Tori Amos,
…Billie had the ability to be like the land, she was able to take every woman's tears - black or white, from my mother to a woman in Brooklyn to a woman in Russia - that they all felt that this woman understood their desires, their passion, their secrets, I mean that just doesn't happen every year…There's something when she sings that makes you feel like that she knows what you are going through - because she does. You can't read the book, so when we hear her sing we know that she knows and there's something about that - there's a deep friendship that I think women have had with her over the years because she's walked the road before us…
,
…Billie had the ability to be like the land, she was able to take every woman's tears - black or white, from my mother to a woman in Brooklyn to a woman in Russia - that they all felt that this woman understood their desires, their passion, their secrets, I mean that just doesn't happen every year…There's something when she sings that makes you feel like that she knows what you are going through - because she does. You can't read the book, so when we hear her sing we know that she knows and there's something about that - there's a deep friendship that I think women have had with her over the years because she's walked the road before us…
Suzanne Vega,
I was a kid in NY City in the 70's which was a highly politicized time, so we all learned about Billie Holiday as an icon: she was black, she was dignified, she was called 'Lady Day' because she never pandered to the crowd's wishes, and in terms of the music: it's classic, it's beautiful, and it never misses…
,
I was a kid in NY City in the 70's which was a highly politicized time, so we all learned about Billie Holiday as an icon: she was black, she was dignified, she was called 'Lady Day' because she never pandered to the crowd's wishes, and in terms of the music: it's classic, it's beautiful, and it never misses…
Bebel Gilberto,
Billie Holiday really, really inspired me because she totally used her music in terms of showing her emotions. Anything that was passing through her head you can tell in her voice and the way she sings - I think Billie Holiday is an incredible interpreter.
,
Billie Holiday really, really inspired me because she totally used her music in terms of showing her emotions. Anything that was passing through her head you can tell in her voice and the way she sings - I think Billie Holiday is an incredible interpreter.
Emmylou Harris,
When I was first in NY City I bought one of these amazing posters, it's kind of a dayglo poster in bright blue and orange and with a wonderful flower in her hair, and that was on every wall of every apartment with thumb tacks and tape, and it was so chewed round the edges that when I got my first check that I think was for $5000 for signing with Warner Brothers records, the first thing I did was to take it to a proper framing place and get them to frame it…and it's still on the wall in my house…
,
When I was first in NY City I bought one of these amazing posters, it's kind of a dayglo poster in bright blue and orange and with a wonderful flower in her hair, and that was on every wall of every apartment with thumb tacks and tape, and it was so chewed round the edges that when I got my first check that I think was for $5000 for signing with Warner Brothers records, the first thing I did was to take it to a proper framing place and get them to frame it…and it's still on the wall in my house…
Joan Baez,
Some people have a brilliance - it comes from way deep inside and there isn't any way to describe it, but it comes to mind, seeing Billie on television, and wanting to cry, and it has to do with some soul that comes through. There's something so deep in what she did that I think she's a great artist and will really last forever…
,
Some people have a brilliance - it comes from way deep inside and there isn't any way to describe it, but it comes to mind, seeing Billie on television, and wanting to cry, and it has to do with some soul that comes through. There's something so deep in what she did that I think she's a great artist and will really last forever…
Maya Angelou,
Billie's sound reminded me of my own loneliness. I had been sent from California as a small child with no companion other than my brother – who was 2 years older than me – I was 3. We were sent with tags on our arms – without chaperons. My brother and I felt we had been totally abandoned. When I heard Billie Holiday's voice it reminded me of trains, going somewhere, in the dark…
,
Billie's sound reminded me of my own loneliness. I had been sent from California as a small child with no companion other than my brother – who was 2 years older than me – I was 3. We were sent with tags on our arms – without chaperons. My brother and I felt we had been totally abandoned. When I heard Billie Holiday's voice it reminded me of trains, going somewhere, in the dark…
Ntozake Shange,
I think Billie picked different voices for different songs and different ways of laying back in song, so we get to feel her letting the song take over and bring to us the actual melancholy that so much of what poverty and being black has meant to us.
,
I think Billie picked different voices for different songs and different ways of laying back in song, so we get to feel her letting the song take over and bring to us the actual melancholy that so much of what poverty and being black has meant to us.
A J Verdelle,
She was doing work that, as a person who looks at musicians and looks at music and knows how hard music is, and also knows how hard it is to be public and remain public and be talented in public...she was doing like amazing things...amazing
,
She was doing work that, as a person who looks at musicians and looks at music and knows how hard music is, and also knows how hard it is to be public and remain public and be talented in public...she was doing like amazing things...amazing
Julia Blackburn,
Everybody who saw Billie fell in love with her - this is what everybody says – men, women, children.. even her dogs(!) - that she had this kind of quality - they wanted to get close to her, they wanted to touch her, they wanted to spend time with her, because she had this combination of vulnerability and approachableness that meant that people wanted to, as it were, rub up against her!
,
Everybody who saw Billie fell in love with her - this is what everybody says – men, women, children.. even her dogs(!) - that she had this kind of quality - they wanted to get close to her, they wanted to touch her, they wanted to spend time with her, because she had this combination of vulnerability and approachableness that meant that people wanted to, as it were, rub up against her!
Linda Dahl,
I think what happens for each new generation of listeners is that they hear Billie Holiday and there’s a timelessness about her because she really is real. I have a 13 year old daughter, and I decided to put on my old Billie Holiday records of the vinyl yet. And so I sat her down and said now listen to this and tell me what you think. She heard one song and she looked at me and she said. "she's great Mum!"
,
I think what happens for each new generation of listeners is that they hear Billie Holiday and there’s a timelessness about her because she really is real. I have a 13 year old daughter, and I decided to put on my old Billie Holiday records of the vinyl yet. And so I sat her down and said now listen to this and tell me what you think. She heard one song and she looked at me and she said. "she's great Mum!"
Farah Jasmine Griffin,
Billie Holiday insisted on a new representation of black womanhood. She also wasn't going to be the kind of conventional stifled lady that the black middle class insisted upon either: "you have to always put forth the best image of the race so that the racist won't think badly of us". And she kind of had an "I am who I am" attitude, and that "I am all of these things and none of them". So, "I am both lady but I can swear like a sailor. I am fair skinned but I am not a tragic mulatto". I am "nobody's damn maid" she would say. And so she resisted those earlier images and in doing so I think she created a new one for younger black women to aspire to.
,
Billie Holiday insisted on a new representation of black womanhood. She also wasn't going to be the kind of conventional stifled lady that the black middle class insisted upon either: "you have to always put forth the best image of the race so that the racist won't think badly of us". And she kind of had an "I am who I am" attitude, and that "I am all of these things and none of them". So, "I am both lady but I can swear like a sailor. I am fair skinned but I am not a tragic mulatto". I am "nobody's damn maid" she would say. And so she resisted those earlier images and in doing so I think she created a new one for younger black women to aspire to.
Sherrie Tucker,
What she found with Count Basie's band, were like-minded innovators who were also changing the traditions that they were coming from. So Lester Young was an innovator who took a lot of flack for playing the tenor saxophone unlike Coleman Hawkins. He and Billie Holiday together with the other members of that Basie band are really a prebop generation who are playing between the beats - they're playing between the expected places.
,
What she found with Count Basie's band, were like-minded innovators who were also changing the traditions that they were coming from. So Lester Young was an innovator who took a lot of flack for playing the tenor saxophone unlike Coleman Hawkins. He and Billie Holiday together with the other members of that Basie band are really a prebop generation who are playing between the beats - they're playing between the expected places.
Rachel Huang,
What I found is that Billie Holiday is keeping track of time moving at two rates at the same time. That is radical, that does wild things to your brain! Most of the world is able to do this for a few moments at a time. What Billie does is, she sticks to it through whole performances...this indicates a tremendous intellect, a tremendous discipline.
,
What I found is that Billie Holiday is keeping track of time moving at two rates at the same time. That is radical, that does wild things to your brain! Most of the world is able to do this for a few moments at a time. What Billie does is, she sticks to it through whole performances...this indicates a tremendous intellect, a tremendous discipline.
Lalah Hathaway,
"Billie and Me" was a very empowering experience for me. As a devotee of Billie Holiday, and of many of the women I had the privilege of sharing the stage with for that event, the experience was immeasurable.
,
"Billie and Me" was a very empowering experience for me. As a devotee of Billie Holiday, and of many of the women I had the privilege of sharing the stage with for that event, the experience was immeasurable.
Fontella Bass,
Carleen Anderson,
Me'shell Ndegeocello,
Amy Winehouse,
Neneh Cherry,
I have seen "Billie and Me" grow - from its beginnings as a radio series for BBC Radio 2 - to the London Barbican show where ten incredible female artists took the adapted radio show to the stage - paying tribute to their ancestor the great Billie Holiday. I narrated both the Radio 2 and Barbican shows. Through the whole process I was blown away by the real story of Billie and by the impact she has had on women across the world. It's because of this relationship between Billie and all of us women, that this is no ordinary production. This is a story that needs to be told over and over again. Terri Lyne Carrington's music is awesome, the story of Billie is mind-blowing - this show should be on the stage fulltime...
,
I have seen "Billie and Me" grow - from its beginnings as a radio series for BBC Radio 2 - to the London Barbican show where ten incredible female artists took the adapted radio show to the stage - paying tribute to their ancestor the great Billie Holiday. I narrated both the Radio 2 and Barbican shows. Through the whole process I was blown away by the real story of Billie and by the impact she has had on women across the world. It's because of this relationship between Billie and all of us women, that this is no ordinary production. This is a story that needs to be told over and over again. Terri Lyne Carrington's music is awesome, the story of Billie is mind-blowing - this show should be on the stage fulltime...
Angelique Kidjo
I first heard Billie Holiday when I was in the jazz school in Paris in 1985, and it was ‘The Man I Love’. When I arrived in the jazz school, I discovered a different type of voice, and also it emphasized to me what I've always learnt as a singer in Africa, that the voice is the mirror of the soul - and that's really typical of what I think I get from Billie Holiday.
I first heard Billie Holiday when I was in the jazz school in Paris in 1985, and it was ‘The Man I Love’. When I arrived in the jazz school, I discovered a different type of voice, and also it emphasized to me what I've always learnt as a singer in Africa, that the voice is the mirror of the soul - and that's really typical of what I think I get from Billie Holiday.
Rita Coolidge,
Niki Harris,
Joan Osborne,
The exciting thing for me was to hear evidence of how Billie's voice has influenced artists from so many different genres of music. She was more than just a jazz singer and the show brought together many different styles of music.
,
The exciting thing for me was to hear evidence of how Billie's voice has influenced artists from so many different genres of music. She was more than just a jazz singer and the show brought together many different styles of music.
Rokia Traore,
Jaguar Wright
I have been listening to Billie Holiday since I was a little girl. I have studied all the ranges in the different emotions that she conveyed through her voice. It changed my life - as a woman, as a singer, as an artist, with my pain and suffering, my vulnerability and disappointments. I had no idea at the age of 12 that I would soon be living the lyrics I had grown to love so early on in my life. As I grew and life changed, so did the lyrics. With every bad experience, the lyrics grew nearer and dearer to me. I knew that I was Billie and she was me. I understood her for her and nothing more, and wasn't anybody's business if I did! I have never been more ready to explore my musical destiny [Billie and Me] than I am right now.
I have been listening to Billie Holiday since I was a little girl. I have studied all the ranges in the different emotions that she conveyed through her voice. It changed my life - as a woman, as a singer, as an artist, with my pain and suffering, my vulnerability and disappointments. I had no idea at the age of 12 that I would soon be living the lyrics I had grown to love so early on in my life. As I grew and life changed, so did the lyrics. With every bad experience, the lyrics grew nearer and dearer to me. I knew that I was Billie and she was me. I understood her for her and nothing more, and wasn't anybody's business if I did! I have never been more ready to explore my musical destiny [Billie and Me] than I am right now.
