The Song That Shocked America: Billie Holiday and ‘Strange Fruit’

Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with this lesson on Billie Holiday, one of the most influential jazz singers in American history. Students will explore how Holiday rose from a difficult childhood to become a groundbreaking performer who used her music to confront racism and injustice—most powerfully through her protest song “Strange Fruit.” The lesson highlights her rise in Harlem nightclubs, her historic performances with Artie Shaw, and her resilience in the face of segregation and personal struggles. Students will analyze how Holiday’s voice helped shape both American music and the fight for civil rights.