Esther Phillips was an American singer, known for her versatile vocal style that spanned across R&B, pop, soul, jazz, and blues genres. She began her career as a child prodigy in the 1950s and her distinctive voice, characterized by its emotional intensity, enabled her to cross over to the pop charts. Phillips is particularly remembered for her hit R&B cover of the country song "Release Me" in 1962 and her disco hit "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" in 1975. Despite her struggles with substance abuse, Phillips made significant contributions to American music and remains an influential figure in multiple genres.