Mama Akua V. Ishakarah wrote a moving review of “Billie Holiday: Jazz Singer” by Meredith Coleman McGee

Wow! What a story! Meredith, such presence, Mississippi writer; you touched me in the way you biographed just a position of Billie Holiday’s upbringing and her journey to stardom with a unique inflection of your growing up in Jackson, Mississippi.

You made a life connection to Billie’s perfective style that delivered sultry vibes to messages that offered social commentary that would expose racial atrocities and civil injustices.

I loved the way you detailed, and shared intimate and intense aspects of Ms. Holiday’s life. It seemed as if we were transcended into her life in real-time.

Meredith it was as though you offered us an exclusive view of Billie’s romantic life, her relationships with her family, friends, her musicians, and of course her fans, and the establishment.

Billie “Lady Day” and her style framed JAZZ next to male icons and rhythmic revolutionary tool that provided upliftment and social healing.

Meredith, the way you embraced her deepest renditions offered us a chance to understand “Lady Day” in her time to relate to her life story in a way that we too are healed now “in the knowing.”

Sisterhood, brotherhood, HUMANITY, love, TOLERANCE, “ALL THAT JAZZ” respect musical genius foundation much love.

Mama Akua V. Ishakarah