Two Original Albums Together On One 180-Gram LP! Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Holiday was a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Above all, she was admired for her deeply personal and intimate approach to singing. “Billie Holiday Sings” was her first full-length album, released in the United States by Clef Records in 1952 in the 10-inch format. “An Evening with Billie Holiday” was the second 10 inch LP studio album released in 1953.