American actress and singer Della Reese talks about her time touring with Nat King Cole. Reese explains how she was utterly and outwardly smitten with the famous jazz musician to the point where Cole’s band would tease her about her crush. She delights in her memory of Cole standing up … Continue reading
Nat King Cole’s daughter, widow, and others explain what Cole’s “The Christmas Song” means to them and their relationship with the beloved icon. They also touch on the challenges the singer had to experience in his personal life with his health and the racism he endured throughout the 1940s and … Continue reading
Dizzy Gillespie is considered to be one of the greatest trumpeters of all time. He is credited, along with Charlie Parker, with creating Bebop and Modern Jazz. In this interview, Gillespie talks about how Bebop got his name, and explains why his trumpets are all bent at a seemingly bizarre … Continue reading
American singer-songwriter Etta James talks about how she sees herself as more than just a r&b singer and discusses the female singers that have inspired her. James says she personally knew Diana Washington and Billie Holiday, claiming, “They led the life they sang about.” She unapologetically explains how her music’s … Continue reading
Ray Charles discusses his drug addiction on the Dick Cavett show. He explains that making up your mind to quit is the first and most important step to overcoming any kind of addiction.
Billie Holiday explains how she went from a casual singer to a professional on the stage and she discusses her personal life along with husband, Louis McKay. Holiday was born on April 7, 1915.
Eartha Kitt describes exactly what happened the day of her first solo performance in Paris and explains how she succeeded without bringing any sheet music with her.
The late singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse is interviewed after the release of her 2006 album, “Back to Black,” which won five Grammy Awards in 2008. Continue reading
