Remembering Billie Holiday
This musical documentary seeks to acknowledge Billie Holiday not only for her musical achievements but also for her profound contribution as an activist fighting against lynching in America. She was the first to record a protest song “Strange Fruit” expressing a real life devastating condition of lynching. Her interpretation of a song painted a terrifying picture of lynched black bodies hanging from a tree. This was a courageous and strategic method of using her popularity to expose how savage and inhuman lynching was to her fans and oppressors. This situation plagued large cities and small towns throughout America. Singing “Strange Fruit” helped to abolish lynching and made her a significant figure during the early civil rights movement. During an era of racial injustice, prejudice, segregation, and Jim Crow she showed amazing character for the bold risks she took for this cause. Billie Holiday’s courage and willingness to sacrifice her career and life must never be forgotten.
Dear Prospective Fundraiser
October 10, 2015, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center Black Heritage Live Inc., a non for profit 501[c3], presents Loretta Lee performing a musical documentary portraying the legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday (Lady Day). Holiday is nationally recognized as America’s greatest jazz vocalist in history as well as an activist. She was a trail blazer in the idiom of jazz. This year we will celebrate and honor Lady Day’s 100th birthday.
Loretta Lee performs an impressive impersonation of some of the most memorable songs of this historical legend which includes, “Strange Fruit”, “God Bless The Child”, “Lady Sings The Blues”, and “All of Me” to name a few. Also, opening acts of the late Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Mr. Bo Jangles, Dinah Washington, Moms Mabley and Billie Eckstine. The extraordinary performance represents noted trail blazers of the arts, accompanied by the Sound Mine Merchants Big Band, will recreate the sound and memories of yesterday and bring history alive.
We encourage your organization to strongly consider this historical musical documentary as a fundraiser that has mass appeal to audiences of all ages.
For seniors, we offer history in a musical setting that is sure to rekindle this cherished time and forgotten moments. Not only will this production educate young adults and help them to appreciate jazz but it will expose them to the Billie Holiday movement and allow her legacy live on and never die. Most importantly, the youth will learn of the wretched conditions and struggles of the past, the importance of saying no to drugs, and gain an unbiased perspective of Lady Day and her accomplishments.
About Loretta Lee
Loretta Lee a native of Chicago has been known as an “up and coming” smooth and sophisticated jazz vocalist, who is progressively taking Chicago by storm. During the course of her musical career, Loretta is also recognized for her impressionable, breath-taking and striking impersonation of the late Billie Holiday. Her impersonation has an astonishing likeness of the legendary icon which began in the musical production Rhythm on Wheels at the Legacy Theatre and Kenwood Academy.
APRIL 16, 2011 Loretta is noted for her productions of “ Remembering Billie Holiday” a musical documentary, performed, written and directed at Illinois Institute of Technology, accompanied by Generations Big Band.
June 1, 2011 Loretta’s debut cd was released titled “GOODBYE” in which she produced also.
September 1, 2012 a new original cd single released “STAY A WHILE WITH ME”
Lyrics by Loretta Lee & Gregory Edwards Sr. music arrangement, programming and piano by Carnell C. Newbill.
February 9, 2013 Ray & Joan Kroc community center.
February 23, 2013 at Prairie State College for black history month.
May 17, 2014 the fourth production at Carver Military Academy Loretta’s extraordinary performance creates the sounds and memories of yesterday always receiving great reviews each year, accompanied by The Sound Mine Merchants Big Band.
2015 Harold Washington Cultural Center and Thornton Township High School/District 205.
She later received training at ETA Theatre where she completed an acting course, she also completed a vocal jazz course at Bloom School of Jazz to broaden the scope of her career.
Loretta Lee has performed at several venues The First Charity- Chicago Automobile Show at McCormick Place, The Mahogany Black Heritage Awards, Chicago Music Awards at the Excalibur Nightclub, Chicago Daley Center, private and corporate affairs. Loretta Lee and The Generations Big Band have performed at the Chicago Hyatt Regency-Senior Obama Inauguration Ball and three consecutive years performing for the senior Christmas shows at the Hyatt, Lincoln High School Alumni in Fort Smith, Arkansas, The Alpha Fraternity New Years’ Party at the Best Western Hotel, Room 43, Geen Dolphin Street. Green Mill, and Oak Lawn Hilton.
Identified as a sultry jazz vocalist, Loretta Lee has performed songs in numerous capacities at. University Park Country Club & Family Fling Festival , Phoenix Festival, Caribbean Festival, African Festival accompanied by The Sound Mine Merchants Big Band and many jazz clubs. South Shore Country Club Jazz Festival
The William Brown Show “Songs of Love” on Chicago Access Channel 19 and Geri Patterson’s “Report to the People” on channel 25.
Multi-talented Loretta Lee is not only a jazz vocalist and actress she is an impersonator. She has also given remarkable performances as an R&B and Gospel soloist. In addition to singing, Loretta enjoys roller skating, stepping, and Latin dancing. With great passion and love, she continuously sings and performs from the bottom of her soul and is truly a phenomenal entertainer.
Event Details
Diamond Entertainment Agency
Black History Month
“REMEMBERING BILLIE HOLIDAY”
“STRANGE FRUIT”
A MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE BY LORETTA LEE
Prairie State College
202 S. Halsted
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
- Date: Coming in 2026
Corps Community Center
1250 w.119thth Street
Chicago, IL 60643
Individual Tickets: $35.00 in advance $40.00 at the door.