Snappily dressed performers emulated Billie Holiday?s sultry croon at a competition honoring the late “Lady Day.”
Ten competitors belted out Holiday?s jazz and blues songs to a crowd of more than 200 during the 17th Annual Baltimore Billie Holiday Vocal Competition on Sunday at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall during Baltimore?s Artscape festival.
“When they sing her songs, they try to get as close to her voice as they can. A lot of them do succeed,” said Jalilah McDuffie, of Baltimore, who has been attending the competition nearly every year since it began.
The competition is intense, as participants compete for prizes totaling $5,500, she said.
Audience members, who described Holiday?s voice as “earthy” and “mellow,” selected local singer Cynthia Harcum for the People?s Choice Award. Georgene Fountain, of Germantown, won the first place prize.
For some Holiday fans, the event was an opportunity to reflect on the life of a legend.
Holiday was raised in Fells Point in Baltimore and was first introduced to jazz and blues in the parlor of a Baltimore brothel.
She faced hardships throughout her career, as she struggled against racism and sexism, according to a biography from the competition.
“Her music is a timeline of her life. It reminds me of how much tragedy befalls people who have extraordinary talent,” said Frances Howell, of Washington, D.C.
The competition was also a chance to inform young people about the early roots of jazz and blues music.
“Her music is timeless. It?s important to bring back her talent. It?s incredible to see all the different interpretations of her songs,” said Jennifer Wurtz, an Artscape volunteer.
Winners of the 2006 Billie Holiday Contest
» First Place: Georgene Fountain
» Second Place: Sandra Johnson
» Third Place: Marvin Lee Parks
» People?s Choice: Cynthia Harcum
