Niki King’s tribute to the jazz Queen at Redrooms

Oct 16 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOP jazz vocalist Niki King honours Billie Holiday on the 50th anniversary of her death.

Holiday had a deeply troubled life and died of cirrhosis, aged just 44, in 1959. But she was credited with changing jazz and pop singing forever, thanks to her individual approach to wording and tempo.

Now King – a former Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year – is celebrating the artist’s early work with her Billie Holiday Songbook concerts, which comes to Perth Theatre Redrooms on Monday and Pitlochry Festival Theatre next Saturday (October 24).

She said: “I have always loved Billie Holiday. To me she is an inspiring singer who commands attention through her natural voice, delivery and musicianship.

“The time of prejudice that she worked through, the hardship and awful situations endured growing up; all of this pain and vulnerability comes through in her songs. But it is also her personal strength, courage, kindness and, of course, talent that makes her such a unique voice.

“Billie Holiday will always be remembered through her music. This show is a celebration of that music and of Holiday as a songwriter.”

Niki’s concerts feature many of Holiday’s self-penned songs as well as ones written especially for her.

Her Perth Theatre Redrooms concert – part of the Monday Night Thing series – and Pitlochry Festival Theatre appearance both have an 8pm start.