Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was an influential American jazz and swing music singer with a career spanning nearly three decades. She was known for her distinct vocal style, characterized by a delicate, emotive delivery that directly influenced the evolution of jazz singing. Holiday's personal experiences with hardship and social issues were evident in her music, most notably in her seminal work "Strange Fruit," a poignant protest against racial violence. Despite her early death, Holiday's expressive interpretations of songs continue to impact the music world, solidifying her reputation as one of the greatest jazz vocalists in history.