Celebrating Billie Holiday's birthday in New York this April 7, 2022
Monday, March 7, 2022
Monday, December 3, 2018
The Battle of the Billies
I've never been one to 'toot my own horn', plus I admit I'm a little lazy and suffer from procratination-itis. I'm not a great self-promoter but I must put my self out there for those who do not know me. Although I love talking and emoting and love to write, I am slow to update my social pages, so please forgive me if you've visited here before and found nothing new in the past year. Since I am intensely preoccupied with the tax business during the Winter and early Spring but not the Summer and Fall there is no excuse, so I am making a promise to myself to update my pages at least once a month since I have no one else to do it for me. I also want to admit that I need to lose weight and have some dental work done before I get back out there with my singing as I am unhappy with my appearance and I got to be happy with me. A n y w a y , I am on my way to doing that and in the mean time I remain THE REAL BHT and I have started a Facebook page, which I have not began to promote, called 'The Battle of the Billies';it's purpose it is to invite all Billie Holiday lovers to post their experiences of her music either as a vocalist or as an connoisseur and to promote a 'sing off'. So I will now sign off with kudo's to Billie as 'the best who ever did it' and to me as THE REAL BHT. You dig. .... more to come.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Thursday, February 5, 2015
THOUGHT I KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT BILLIE HOLIDAY
Thought, I knew everything about Billie Holiday. Well this new book : Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, by Johann Hari offers some new insights on Billie's bust by the Feds. He talks about the Negro informant, who I never heard of before in any of Billie's biographies. More to come on this
"2015 BILLIE'S CENTENNIAL YEAR"
Hi , I guess my post are going to be 6 or more months apart!. News update!!! This year 2015 is Billie's 100th year birthday celebration, or Centennial year. I must help to celebrate her birthday with a special Birthday Celebration direct to you from The Real B.H.T.
Let me share a little Chicago musical note with you. There will be celebrations all over the world this year celebrating Billie Holiday's 100th year and musical legacy. Just google 'Billie Holiday Tributes' and you will see women (and men) from all parts of the world on every continent who tribute her with their musical renditions of her many compositions. Mystically about 3 years ago I met a young lady who was putting together a musical tribute to Billie's music and she just so happens to be born on the same day that Billie Holiday died on, July 17th. I was so taken back by this since I'm born on July 16th. I mean how mystical does it get? We both sing Billie's music. I made my entrance on the Chicago Jazz scene back in the early 80's, stumbling and fumbling along, getting my knocks, trying to sing on stage just for the sole purpose of singing her music. No other songs mattered to me , no other singers mattered to me. Back when I first started taking music lessons with Hobart James, (Hobie), I was never a good student so I didn't learn much, it was suggested to me to listen to other singers, and not to be so ridged. Well I did. He gave me June Christie, a wonderfully clear voice, and some of Mahalia's work Duke Ellington to listen to . I also listened to Sarah, Ella, etc. and I really couldn't see what the big deal was, and always came back to Billie. I have since learned that any one can sing how they want to sing, the question is , will it touch some one? Is it relatable? Is it honest? Is it coming from the heart?
The late, great, Von Freeman said in response to listening to me sing, " energy can never be destroyed". The late great, Jodie Christian, said " Girl do you know how many women wish they could sing like Billie Holiday! I learned most of my standards from listening to Billie, so of course when I heard other singers sing the same songs, especially when they sung the songs the way it was written , I was completely surprised with how she would change the whole meaning just by the way she would nuance a phase, a beat or the time, or one word, or just a slight pause. This is what made the song her own. My mom, r.i.p., Lillian King was a song stylist, and as a child I listened to Pearl Bailey, Doris Day ( whom I still love) and listening to Motown music got me grounded in the various styles of singing. I always wanted to be an opera singer (sic). Any who, I'm still stuck on Billie's music. Now just how do I-I-I-I feel when I-I-I-I'm singing a song? That's the question. I can at least say that one thing Billie and I do have in common. I can only sing what I feel. What I do love most of all, about Billie's music, is her stark HONESTY, HER COURAGE, HER FEARLESSNESS, her purity, her compassion, and her beauty. I only wish that I am able to convey the same honesty , courage when I sing and that I can touch someone's heart. No frills, for my show, sorry. No dancers, sorry, No displays. Just honest emotion, relatedness, and love. Thanks for listening. ( written in a hurry as it came to mind)
Let me share a little Chicago musical note with you. There will be celebrations all over the world this year celebrating Billie Holiday's 100th year and musical legacy. Just google 'Billie Holiday Tributes' and you will see women (and men) from all parts of the world on every continent who tribute her with their musical renditions of her many compositions. Mystically about 3 years ago I met a young lady who was putting together a musical tribute to Billie's music and she just so happens to be born on the same day that Billie Holiday died on, July 17th. I was so taken back by this since I'm born on July 16th. I mean how mystical does it get? We both sing Billie's music. I made my entrance on the Chicago Jazz scene back in the early 80's, stumbling and fumbling along, getting my knocks, trying to sing on stage just for the sole purpose of singing her music. No other songs mattered to me , no other singers mattered to me. Back when I first started taking music lessons with Hobart James, (Hobie), I was never a good student so I didn't learn much, it was suggested to me to listen to other singers, and not to be so ridged. Well I did. He gave me June Christie, a wonderfully clear voice, and some of Mahalia's work Duke Ellington to listen to . I also listened to Sarah, Ella, etc. and I really couldn't see what the big deal was, and always came back to Billie. I have since learned that any one can sing how they want to sing, the question is , will it touch some one? Is it relatable? Is it honest? Is it coming from the heart?
The late, great, Von Freeman said in response to listening to me sing, " energy can never be destroyed". The late great, Jodie Christian, said " Girl do you know how many women wish they could sing like Billie Holiday! I learned most of my standards from listening to Billie, so of course when I heard other singers sing the same songs, especially when they sung the songs the way it was written , I was completely surprised with how she would change the whole meaning just by the way she would nuance a phase, a beat or the time, or one word, or just a slight pause. This is what made the song her own. My mom, r.i.p., Lillian King was a song stylist, and as a child I listened to Pearl Bailey, Doris Day ( whom I still love) and listening to Motown music got me grounded in the various styles of singing. I always wanted to be an opera singer (sic). Any who, I'm still stuck on Billie's music. Now just how do I-I-I-I feel when I-I-I-I'm singing a song? That's the question. I can at least say that one thing Billie and I do have in common. I can only sing what I feel. What I do love most of all, about Billie's music, is her stark HONESTY, HER COURAGE, HER FEARLESSNESS, her purity, her compassion, and her beauty. I only wish that I am able to convey the same honesty , courage when I sing and that I can touch someone's heart. No frills, for my show, sorry. No dancers, sorry, No displays. Just honest emotion, relatedness, and love. Thanks for listening. ( written in a hurry as it came to mind)
Monday, June 16, 2014
This the way you Billie, Billie, Billie, Billie Billie, Billie,this the way you Billie Billie all day long!
Audra McDonald performed the Billie Holdiay Play ' Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill", one of Billie's last performance as imagined by writer Lanie Robertson. Audra won for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her role as Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" at the 68th annual Tony Awards. This gives McDonald more Tony Awards than veteran Broadway stars Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris, who have five apiece, and has won in all four major female acting categories -- as Best Lead Actress and Best Featured Actress in both plays and musicals. Applause Applause, Audra for a great job.
I listened for a brief second to a couple of her renditions of two of Billie's songs, namely 'Strange Fruit' and 'When a woman loves a man', and it only took that brief second to see that Audra did listen to Billie. I don't know how long she listened to Billie, (she is an actor you know), but she listened enough for me to commend her performance in her mannerism, and her articulation of Strange Fruit. As an actor, it is her job to give the best performance that she could muster based upon what she feels she can realistically give.. without seeming so fake... I could tell that she had studied and she was trying very hard to give us Billie. I could tell that she practiced the songs well enough to beat out other major actors/ singers in the same play, i.e. Ertha Kitt, and Ernestine Jackson and Lonnet McKee to name a few. For the audiences who viewed her it was probably the best live musical performance of Billie's Music that they have seen thus far. So I have to give it to Audra, you did listen to Billie.
She had that blank look in her eyes, as she stared out into the audience presumbably to look ' high' as she felt in character with Billie. Her appearance is flawless, her pose reminded me of Billie. Congratulations Audra for a job well done. You are very popular , and I didn't know you had it in you.
The Soul of Billie is more than looks, mannerism and the like, it is the heart of the music, your understanding of it, that is what comes across to the audience. There are many audiences you know. Audiences that understand the music, who have been there; done that, through their own experiences, then you have musical audiences, real jazz people who hold their breath with every syllable, and you have the musicians who are an audience themselves and they really know what is really going on with the music. Then you have the critics who respond to the audience either complimentary or in direct opposition to them. Thanks for really trying Audra.
Now this chick, Madeline Peyroux probably listened to Billie morning, noon and night to try to copy her voice. Madeline is good with good musicians, but I say shame on you for advertising your April show at Dupage College with the following script, "if you like the smooth jazz sounds of Billie Holiday, give Madeleine Peyroux a try. . In a sense I felt like she was putting herself on equal grounds with Billie Holiday, which no human can do. Instead of giving tribute to Billie in her birthday month, she wants to compare herself with Billie. Shame on you Madeline, no one can do that. How disrespectful of you. It takes more than a sound alike voice and a nasal sound to cop Billie. I commend you on your musicianship, but not to honor her by try to bring attention to yourself? Well you people been doing that all the time. Nuff said.
Back on the ranch...we have a young lady who has been told she sounds like Billie and she does gives Billie some props with her acknowledgement of Billie being the first Negro Protest Singer. Her show is very entertaining , with dancers, taps, Louie and all. That's Entertainment. The great music of Billie Holiday stands alone. Nuff said.
Dee Dee Brigewater I love you.
Signing out , Nancy Ridley Hughes, aka The Real B.H.T.C.
I listened for a brief second to a couple of her renditions of two of Billie's songs, namely 'Strange Fruit' and 'When a woman loves a man', and it only took that brief second to see that Audra did listen to Billie. I don't know how long she listened to Billie, (she is an actor you know), but she listened enough for me to commend her performance in her mannerism, and her articulation of Strange Fruit. As an actor, it is her job to give the best performance that she could muster based upon what she feels she can realistically give.. without seeming so fake... I could tell that she had studied and she was trying very hard to give us Billie. I could tell that she practiced the songs well enough to beat out other major actors/ singers in the same play, i.e. Ertha Kitt, and Ernestine Jackson and Lonnet McKee to name a few. For the audiences who viewed her it was probably the best live musical performance of Billie's Music that they have seen thus far. So I have to give it to Audra, you did listen to Billie.
She had that blank look in her eyes, as she stared out into the audience presumbably to look ' high' as she felt in character with Billie. Her appearance is flawless, her pose reminded me of Billie. Congratulations Audra for a job well done. You are very popular , and I didn't know you had it in you.
The Soul of Billie is more than looks, mannerism and the like, it is the heart of the music, your understanding of it, that is what comes across to the audience. There are many audiences you know. Audiences that understand the music, who have been there; done that, through their own experiences, then you have musical audiences, real jazz people who hold their breath with every syllable, and you have the musicians who are an audience themselves and they really know what is really going on with the music. Then you have the critics who respond to the audience either complimentary or in direct opposition to them. Thanks for really trying Audra.
Now this chick, Madeline Peyroux probably listened to Billie morning, noon and night to try to copy her voice. Madeline is good with good musicians, but I say shame on you for advertising your April show at Dupage College with the following script, "if you like the smooth jazz sounds of Billie Holiday, give Madeleine Peyroux a try. . In a sense I felt like she was putting herself on equal grounds with Billie Holiday, which no human can do. Instead of giving tribute to Billie in her birthday month, she wants to compare herself with Billie. Shame on you Madeline, no one can do that. How disrespectful of you. It takes more than a sound alike voice and a nasal sound to cop Billie. I commend you on your musicianship, but not to honor her by try to bring attention to yourself? Well you people been doing that all the time. Nuff said.
Back on the ranch...we have a young lady who has been told she sounds like Billie and she does gives Billie some props with her acknowledgement of Billie being the first Negro Protest Singer. Her show is very entertaining , with dancers, taps, Louie and all. That's Entertainment. The great music of Billie Holiday stands alone. Nuff said.
Dee Dee Brigewater I love you.
Signing out , Nancy Ridley Hughes, aka The Real B.H.T.C.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Singers - 'Listen'
Most tributes to Billie's music reminds me of women playing 'dress up' . It's so cute. But a lot of these singers don't really take the music seriously, if they did they would listen to the music more before attempting to present it. This music deserves more respect than that. When I listen to Audra McDonald do one of Billie's tunes, I can tell that at least she has listened to it intently by the way she delivers the lyrics. Singers, please listen to the music. Give the music, the composition, and Ms Holiday more respect. This is not about looking good on the stage or looking flashy. Even the Billie Holiday play, starring , Dee Dee Bridgewater, last December in New York had her portraying Billie sitting on top of a piano. Now I don't know everything about Billie, but from what I read and from the pictures I've seen, that didn't seem like Billie's style. So many people get talked into just doing anything. I wouldn't sell out to no producer or director just to be in a play. But like I said the story is in the music, so listen to the music ladies then, tell the story.
The Real B.H.T. - Nancy Ridley-Hughes
The Real B.H.T. - Nancy Ridley-Hughes
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