The Rodgers-and-Hammerstein musical South Pacific, based upon James A. Mitchener’s Tales of the South Pacific, opens on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949. Find your own special island at the library, on hoopla and in Freegal.

Eleanora Fagan, professionally known as Billie Holiday, jazz musician and singer-songwriter, was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 7, 1915. Her career spanned nearly thirty years. Nicknamed “Lady Day” by her friend and music partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Holiday was known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills, which made up for her limited range and lack of formal music education. While there were other jazz singers with equal talent, Billie Holiday had a voice that captured the attention of her audience.  Find Lady Day at the library, on  hoopla and Freegal.