Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Directed by Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden

With Anita O'Day, Buddy Bregman, Leonard Feather, Will Friedwald and Johnny Mandel

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