Vocalist Billie Holiday, New York City, c. 1947.

Courtesy of William P. Gottlieb.

 

“Mean to Me”

Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra with Billie Holiday

1937

This small group led by pianist Teddy Wilson highlights the interplay between vocalist Billie Holiday and her great friend and collaborator Lester Young on tenor saxophone. Young gave Holiday her nickname, “Lady Day,” and she named him “Pres.”