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

Director: Ian McCrudden, Robbie Cavolina
Cast: Anita O'Day, Annie Ross, Buddy Bregman, George Wein, John Cameron Mitchell, Johnny Mandel, Leonard Feather, Will Friedwald

Synopsis:

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