Mama remembers Billie Holiday after 110 years

Mama remembers Billie Holiday after 110 years

Author: JOY 94.9 - LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Podcasts for all our Rainbow Communities March 18, 2026 Duration: 22:33

Jazz singer, cabaret artiste & gender transcendent diva Mama Alto, visited the Bent Notes studio and spoke about using Strength in Softness and Power in Vulnerability in her songs and other presentations; and her love of the music of Billie Holiday – one of Mama’s Idols of song who had a great ability to use Strength in Softness and Power in Vulnerabilty.  Mama notes that the power of subtlety, and subtle choices are such a core element of a Jazz Singer’s art.

Hear Mama also chat about Salted Caramels!

Mama first perfomed her Billie Holiday songbook in 2015, on the 100th anniversary of Billie’s birth, and has chosen to perform that show again in the David Li Sound Gallery at the Monash University Big Jazz Day Out on Saturday March 21, 2026 – remembering Billie after 110 years.

Hear what Mama had to say in this podcast from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9.

Mama Alto was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday March 15, 2026
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock every Sunday night
JOY 94.9 – Out.Loud.Proud – Your Voice – Your Radio Station

Support this podcast, Donate to JOY; Become a member

The post Mama remembers Billie Holiday after 110 years appeared first on Bent Notes.


Tune into Bent Notes for a vibrant exploration of jazz that stretches across decades and defies easy categorization. This podcast, from the team at JOY 94.9, is more than a simple music show; it’s a curated journey through sound that connects the dots between the foundational rhythms of ragtime and the innovative pulses of contemporary remixes. Each episode serves as both a listening session and a conversation, weaving together tracks with thoughtful commentary and engaging interviews that provide context and highlight the artists-particularly those from LGBTIQA+ and rainbow communities-who have shaped and continue to redefine this ever-evolving genre. You’ll hear stories behind the music, discover new interpretations of classic sounds, and gain a deeper appreciation for jazz’s incredible diversity. Whether you're a lifelong aficionado or simply curious about where the music can go, this podcast offers a fresh and inclusive perspective, celebrating the rich, sometimes unconventional, and always compelling history of jazz in all its forms.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 53

Bent Notes
Podcast Episodes
Stephen’s +F:rst Sunn+ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:50
Inspiration for Stephen Hornby’s +F:rst Sunn+ project came out of Lockdowns, when Stephen found himself with time to think and work without interruption. The result is the debut album for his +F:rst Sunn+ project. (Yes,…
Harry’s Country Euphoria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:49
Harry Mitchell is a pianist based in Perth who spoke about growing his love of live music through his enjoyment of live bands at his church when growing up. His enthusiam resulted in his studying his degree and masters a…