

Portrait of Billie (1960) is an iconic modern dance duet choreographed by John Butler as a poignant tribute to the legendary jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday portrayed by Carmen de Lavallade.

Created specifically as a vehicle for the pioneering dancer Carmen de Lavallade and Butler himself, the piece premiered at the world-renowned Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 1960, just one year after Holiday’s tragic death.
Carmen de Lavallade and John Butler -Portrait of Billie (1960)











