Billie Holiday — one of the jazz world's greatest names — never even learned to read music. But, she loved jazz and cut her teeth on singing along with Bessie Smith or Louis Armstrong records in afterhours clubs in Baltimore. Holiday moved to NY with her mother in the 1930s; she sang in Harlem nightclubs, where she was spotted by John Hammond, who was responsible for her first big break: cutting a record as part of a group of singers led by Benny Goodman. With a trademark white gardenia in her hair, "Lady Day" (as she was known) sang songs like "The Man I Love," "Porgy," "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child." Billie Holiday was born in 1915.

"The Man I Love"

Someday he'll come along, The man I love
And he'll be big and strong, The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay
He'll look at me and smile, I'll understand
Then in a little while, He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday,
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day

He'll build a little home, That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam, Who would, would you
And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love