Billie Holiday on Stars of Jazz
Last week I mentioned Bobby Troup's closest connection to jazz came in 1956, when he began a 2 1/2-year run hosting a tv-series titled "Stars of Jazz." One of the guest during the shows first year was jazz vocalist Billie Holiday (1915-1959).
In July 1956 Billie Holiday had moved to the West Coast for several engagements. She began in the Arabian Room of the Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, on July 19, 1956 ending August 1. The next day she opened in Jazz City, Hollywood, for another two-week engagement.
While in Los Angeles she also made her appearance on Bobby Troup's "Stars of Jazz."
The producer of "Stars of Jazz" was reluctant when this jazz show first started. Bobby Troup recalled: "I made an appeal on the air for listeners to write in if they liked the program. Within three days we received 7,000 letters."
"Stars of Jazz" was one of the earliest and most successful airings of jazz on television.
On August 13, 1956, at 10:30 p.m. the broadcast of the jazz programme starring Billie Holiday was aired on K-ABC TV, Channel 7. It was also a promotion of Billie's book "Lady Sings The Blues" written with William Dufty.
In his narration Bobby Troup presented the ups and downs of Billie Holiday's life and inbetween Billie sang three songs: "Please Don't Talk About Me" (composed by Sam Stept and Bee Palmer, with lyrics by Sidney Clare) and Billie's own songs "Billie's Blues" and "My Man." She was accompanied by Corky Hale-piano, Jules Bertaux-string bass and Bob Neel-drums.
On the day following the broadcast Billie Holiday had the first of two recording session for Norman Grantz in Los Angeles (Aug 14 & 18) for her Verve album "All Or Nothing At All."
