Tayari's Blog: Being Billie: A New Documentary
Posted by TayariJones on October 20, 2009 08:56 AM
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On Sunday, I went to Ramscale Gallery for a fundraiser for Being 
Billie, a new documentary about Billie Holliday. I was mostly motivated to attend the event because I jump at any opportunity to visit RamScale and secondly because lovely Karma Mayet Johnson would be singing. I am so glad I braved the elements and traveled to Manhattan.
Being Billie offers a fascinating and empowering look at the life of Billie Holliday. Women artists and thinkers such as Angela Davis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Laylah Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, and Nikki Giovanni weigh in on the life and legacy of Lady Day.
All of them pointed out that women artists are so often reduced to the details of thier personal lives. (For contrast think of Miles Davis. His life was a disaster, but it has not tarnished his reputation as a genius.) Billie Holiday is remembered as a tragic figure-- drug addict, bad relationships, etc. But what about her genius? And I am not using the word lightly. When you see this film you will ask yourself this question.
(One of the highlights of the film was Nikki Giovanni irreverently chronicalling the drug use of other stars of the same era. Why, she asks, haven't these artists been smeared for all enternity. As she put it, "They act like Billie Holiday was the first singer to ever be a drug addict.")
Film-maker Phyllis M. Croom was at the event, along with Producer, Rochelle "Rocky" Scott. I was very impressed with the dedication and just hard work they have put into reclaiming Billie Holiday from the "Lady Sings The Blues" melodrama. Of course, passion and dedication don't pay the bills. You can imagine the expenses they have incurred trying to get the rights to music and film clips. They need to raise an additional $75,000 just to finish the project. Everyone one at the event was so moved that we all made donations, but more help is needed.
Visit the Being Billie website for more information. The website is a little tricky to navigate, but if you keep clicking, you'll get to the donation page, so keep clicking.
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Comment #1, by Honoree Jeffers ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
Tayari: Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this information about this important film! As a blues poet--and just a fan of blues and jazz--I became aware early on that there is no way you can forget Billie Holiday and her contributions to American music. But I just wish I could post this information on the documentary to my facebook/twitter pages for my friends to give money! I'm not the best techie, but I know you are. If you find out how to get this on facebook and twitter, please let me know. I would really appreciate it.
October 20, 2009 03:06 PM