Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

movie

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

Cast & crew

Annie Ross · John Cameron Mitchell · Ian McCrudden · Gerald Wilson · Anita O'Day · Leonard Feather · Buddy Bregman · Johnny Mandel · George Wein · Margaret Whiting · Will Friedwald · Robbie Cavolina