• The Story So Far 'Billie and Me': A unique event where some of the world's leading women artists, writers, poets and thinkers join together to celebrate Billie Holiday's spirit and musical genius. Hosted by singer and DJ Neneh Cherry in London, and the legendary Nancy Wilson in the USA, the musical director is Terri Lyne Carrington, one of the world's finest jazz drummers and an accomplished composer and arranger. The production is written and created by Sarah Cropper. 'Billie and Me' is an evolving work of art. Beginning as an acclaimed 6-part radio series for BBC Radio 2, its reputation grew quickly by word of mouth until it was commissioned as a sellout critically acclaimed evening performance at London’s Barbican Centre in 2004. A tour of the US followed in 2005. So far the women who have taken part include: Neneh Cherry, Nancy Wilson, Ursula Rucker, Mica Paris, Abbey Lincoln, Annie Ross, Lena Horne, Angelique Kidjo, Terri Lyne Carrington, Yolande Bavan, Dianne Reeves, Claire Martin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Debbie Harry, Cassandra Wilson, Omara Portuondo, Susheela Raman, Nneena Freelon, Mary J Blige, Suzanne Vega, Jill Scott, Tori Amos, Bebel Gilberto, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Maya Angelou, Ntozake Shange, A J Verdelle, Julia Blackburn, Linda Dahl, Farah Griffin, Sherrie Tucker, Rachel Huang (BBC Radio 2 Documentary) Neneh Cherry, Terri Lyne Carrington, Yolande Bavan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Susheela Raman, Chrissie Hynde, Lalah Hathaway, Fontella Bass, Carleen Anderson, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Amy Winehouse, Angelique Kidjo, Farah Jasmine Griffin. (London Barbican Performance) Nancy Wilson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dianne Reeves, Rita Coolidge, Niki Harris, Joan Osborne, Rokia Traore. (USA Tour) The London Production Team Writer and Producer - Sarah Cropper Lighting Designer – Rick Fisher Production Manager – Vicky Atkinson (for the Barbican) UK Band and Orchestra Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone Mitchel Forman – piano/keyboards Ray Fuller – electric guitar Frank McComb – keyboards/backing vocals Reginald Veal – electric/double bass Cathy Thompson – violin Everton Nelson – violin Nick Barr – viola Chris Worsey – cello Mike Smith – alto saxophone/flute Ben Castle – tenor saxophone/clarinet Chris Stoor – trumpet Nichol Thompson – trombone Thomas Dyani – percussion Arranger/Musical Director – Terri Lyne Carrington Assistant Arranger/Conductor – Ed Barguiarea US Band James Genus - bass Paul Bollenback - guitar Mitchel Forman - piano/keyboards Tineke Postma - saxophones Rob Smith – saxophone/trumpet Munyungo Jackson - percussion Arranger/Musical Director – Terri Lyne Carrington Assistant Arranger/Conductor – Ed Barguiarea

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