In 1957, New York photojournalist Jerry Dantzic spent time with the iconic singer Billie Holiday during a two-week run of performances at the Newark, New Jersey, nightclub Sugar Hill.
Only a handful of the photographs in this book have ever been published..
Later that year, Dantzic photographed her at the second New York Jazz Festival at Randall’s Island, in colour.
The years and the struggles seem to vanish when she sings: her face lights up.
The resulting images offer a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of Billie with her family, friends and her pet chiuhuaha, Pepe; playing with her godchild (son of her autobiography’s co-author, William Dufty); washing dishes at the Duftys’ home; walking the streets of Newark; in her hotel room; waiting backstage or having a drink in front of the stage; and performing.
In 1957, New York photojournalist Jerry Dantzic spent time with the iconic singer Billie Holiday during a two-week run of performances at the Newark, New Jersey, nightclub Sugar Hill
