Begins recording "Lady in Satin" with arranger Ray Ellis for Columbia Records.
On 18 February 1958, Billie Holiday began recording the album Lady in Satin for Columbia Records with arranger and conductor Ray Ellis, in what would become one of her last and most discussed studio projects.
By this time, Holiday’s voice had been ravaged by years of substance abuse and health problems; its range and clarity were diminished, but its expressive power had deepened. Ellis surrounded her with a lush string orchestra, an unusual setting for Holiday, whose earlier recordings featured small jazz combos and swing bands. Songs like "I’m a Fool to Want You" and "You’ve Changed" showcase her cracked, world‑weary tone against the satin‑smooth arrangements, creating a stark emotional contrast.
Lady in Satin is historically significant because it sparked debate about the aesthetics of late‑style performance and has since been re‑evaluated as a profound artistic statement rather than simply a document of decline. The February 1958 sessions captured Holiday transforming technical limitations into a new kind of expressiveness, influencing later listeners’ understanding of vulnerability, aging, and authenticity in vocal jazz. The album stands as a poignant final chapter in her recording legacy.