Dozens of events are planned to celebrate the centenary of her birth this year. Among those paying tribute is Rebecca Ferguson, whose third album is a collection of Billie Holiday covers.
It was recorded after a turbulent year, which began with the pop star collapsing on live television. She later found out she was pregnant - at which point the father of her unborn child walked away.
All the pain was channelled into recording Lady Sings the Blues, which she made at the iconic Capitol Studios in Hollywood.
(More on the album in Ferguson BBC interview, check out the source link)