Film

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

She survived it all to become one of the world's great jazz singers

7.0

1h 30m

2007

“She survived it all to become one of the world's great jazz singers”

Synopsis

This documentary explores the life of jazz singer Anita O'Day. As a child, Anita had a tonsillectomy, during which her uvula was accidentally removed. The surgery prevents her from singing vibrato and holding long notes, but lends to her much-revered percussive style. Anita overcomes her vocal hurdle, as well as many others -- including poverty, heroin addiction and jail time for a drug arrest -- to become one of the most prolific and respected jazz vocalists of the 20th century. Initial release: 30 April 2007