A revelatory new biography of one of greatest jazz singers of all time, published to mark the centenary of her birth

"John Szwed's swift, conversational and yet detail-rich new biography, Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth, communicates its artist-first priorities in the subtitle, and then makes good on them throughout ... That's about as fine a centenary-year gift as anyone had a right to expect." Guardian "Szwed's book offers a fresh attempt to understand and explain the nature and scope of Holiday's achievement." Times Literary Supplement "A musicologist's appreciation of the jazz singer... a marvel." Independent "Illuminating account restores to the singer the dignity of a true artist." Observer "Insightful, investigative... entertaining and illuminating ... a wonderfully engaging and revealing look at the great Lady Day." The Scotsman

John Szwed is Professor of Music and Jazz Studies at Columbia University, and Director of the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University. He is the author of a number of books, including Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth, Alan Lomax: The Man Who Recorded the World and So What: The Life of Miles Davis.