The two-pronged talent of Louis Armstrong was one of the more joyous treasures to have come out of jazz -- his warm, jubilant vocals were as intricate and charismatic as his trumpeting. Raised in New Orleans in loving poverty by his grandmother, Armstrong organized a street performance group at ag
Billie Holiday's troubled life colored every phrase she sang, and she brought her listeners to moments of joy that soothed the worst heartache. No matter how lousy a hand life deals you, one song from Billie reminds you that she had it worse and still, somehow, remained beautiful. The woman whose sou