There are two facts regarding Billie Holiday:
- She is the most controversial singer in the history of jazz.
- She remains the best jazz and blues singer to ever walk across a stage.
Today, the only way to comprehend the complicated life of America’s greatest female jazz singer is to see “Lady Day,” starring Dee Dee Bridgewater at the Little Schubert Theater (422 W. 42nd St.). As a singer, Bridgewater wastes no time getting into Holiday’s signature songs “Miss Brown to You,” “Them There Eyes” and “All of Me.”
Bridgewater brings Holiday’s persona to the songs while pulling from her own improvisations, but it is her acting that explodes as she journeys through the tormented singer’s life, making heartbreaking stops as she is abused as a child; goes away to a juvenile detention center; is introduced to heroin; does jail time; and loses her cabaret license.
The two–act play covers a rainy afternoon rehearsal day on a London Theater stage in late August 1954 and the evening’s live concert. The Grammy winner is Holiday; she sings, but that is what she does. Her acting takes you to the edge of life with “Lady Day.” It will be alright to cry, curl your toes or cringe. The dynamic acting of Bridgewater is superb, and the two standing ovations demonstrated the audience’s acceptance.
“I feel and hope we are doing Billie justice for all she did in such a short period of time,” noted Bridgewater. “She is one of the most influential singers.” Despite her tormented life, Holiday rose above her demons to become one of the best singers of all time.
This is Bridgewater’s first New York dramatic role. Writer and director Stephen Stahl stated, “When I heard I was doing New York, I waited for Dee Dee, because she was the only one that could do it.”
Bridgewater, the nationally syndicated NPR “JazzSet” host (on WBGO-FM), also played the role some years ago when Stahl was at London’s Piccadilly. During that period, she said that she was possessed by Holiday. “Now I can channel her and leave her on the stage when I go to my dressing room.”
Stahl was inspired to write “Lady Day” in 1979 while sitting at home alone listening to a Holiday recording. “I could relate to pieces of Billie’s life through the abuse and other things,” said Stahl.
The quartet features pianist-music director Bill Jolly, saxophonist Neil Johnson, bassist James Cammack and drummer Jerome Jennings. He shines with his quick wit and crazy, conked hairstyle. David Ayers plays Robert Holiday’s good friend and ego supporter, and Rafael Poueriet plays the assistant stage manager.
“Stephen allowed us to play the music that was there, but we could bring our own experience and improvisations into the show,” said Jolly. “We combined the jazz concert with the theater piece.”
Ten years ago, John Coltrane’s home in Dix Hills, N.Y., where he composed “A Love Supreme,” was on the demolition block. Today, the home is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. In 2005, the town of Huntington purchased the home and gave the title over to The Friends of the Coltrane Home, dedicated to the restoration of the home for public consumption. The nonprofit organization is headed by John and Alice’s son Ravi Coltrane, his wife, Kathleen Hennessy, and a group of persevering volunteers.
Recently, the Friends of the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills hosted their first major fundraiser at the En Japanese Brasserie in the West Village. An earlier benefit was held four years ago with Savion Glover, who was also present at this event. Jazz elder statesmen Roy Haynes, Jimmy Heath, Jimmy Cobb and Candido, photographer Chuck Stewart and composer–percussionist Ricky Gordon, as well as pop star Elvis Costello.
Heath noted, “Coltrane is one of the most humble geniuses to ever live.”
Guitarist, composer and activist Carlos Santana, the guest speaker, noted, “Morning, noon and night, his music should be heard. The more you invite youngsters to connect with John Coltrane, they will stop the carnage.”
The house that sits on 3.4 acres of land will be restored as it originally was, and one will be able to walk into Coltrane’s basement recording studio and see Alice Coltrane’s meditation room, which will consist of an outside meditation garden. A research and listening room will be created, along with a multimedia room for presentations to school children.
The family will be donating written music, records and other memorabilia, while Yasuhiro “Fugi” Fujioka, a founding member, will donate his 3,000 pieces of Coltrane collectibles.
This project is more than just Coltrane’s house at its completion, it will be a museum with archives and a research center. A primary focus will be on the arts and education component.
Coltrane shared his music with the world, noting, “I want to be the force that is truly good.”
Here his music will be shared with the world and, most of all, with young people. As Ron Stein, COO and board member, stated, “Arts education programs help children to become more positive and develop a sense of self-worth.”
The organization is hoping that some part of the Coltrane House will be open to the public in 2014, which will be the 50th anniversary of Coltrane’s album “A Love Supreme.” For the overall completion of the project, the Friends of Coltrane Home in Dix Hills will have to raise $1 million. This fundraiser demonstrates that the organization and many supporters are working diligently for this to happen. Dr. Cornel West, the guest speaker, noted, “Coltrane’s house represents the future of who we are as creatures on this planet.”
The charge to start the renovation of Coltrane’s house began with Dix Hils resident and historian Steve Fulgoni, founding member and vice president. Being a Coltrane fan, he went to see the house in its worst state but said, “When I walked through, I could feel a presence. I knew I was in a special place.” During his visit, he spoke with Alice and Ravi Coltrane, and now things are moving forward.
“If it wasn’t for Steve, two big McMansions would be on the Coltrane site,” said Stein.
For more information, contact info@thecoltraehome.org or call 631-860-9200.
