Billie Holiday and Count Basie at Carnegie Hall (1954)

This video captures the performance of Billie Holiday and Count Basie performing together at Carnegie Hall on September 25, 1954 as part of Norman Granz's new Jazz at the Philharmonic troupe, The Birdland All-Stars. This is a new setting for Holiday because she is singing songs that she usually sings with a trio with a big band orchestra. Critics said, "For Miss Holiday it seemed to be somewhat of an off night." Her temporary accompanist Memry Midgett recalled that the whole day Billie had to take care of Louis McKay's son who celebrated his birthday. The afternoon she had spent in town buying a birthday present and in the evening she had to attend the party and had to look after the guests before she and Holiday were put in a taxi to perform at Carnegie. During the way to Carnegie Hall Billie managed to get her hair done and to fix her make-up. The pictures in the video are from the even that night, including a picture with Charlie Parker. Songs include "All of Me," "Lover, Come Back to Me," "My Man," "Lover Man" and more. Enjoy!