Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007)

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

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 (10)CrewGenresDetailsReleasesMediaAwards

A

Anita O'Day

Herself

Buddy Bregman

Himself

L

Leonard Feather

Himself

W

Will Friedwald

Himself

Johnny Mandel

Himself

John Cameron Mitchell

Himself

Annie Ross

Herself

G

George Wein

Himself

M

Margaret Whiting

Herself

G

Gerald Wilson

Himself

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