About Clarence Holiday
Lived 1895 – 1937 (aged 41). Clarence Holiday was an American musician and jazz guitarist.
Clarence Halliday (Baltimore, July 23, 1898 – Dallas, March 1, 1937), also known as Clarence Holiday, was an American musician. He was the father of the singer Billie Holiday.
Early life In Baltimore he attended a boys' school with the banjo player Elmer Snowden. Both of them played banjo with various Baltimore jazz bands, including the band of Eubie Blake. At the age of 16, Holiday became the unmarried father of Billie Holiday, who was born to 19-year-old Sarah Fagan (later Sadie Harris). He rarely visited Harris or her daughter.
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Important facts
People in Clarence Holiday's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Clarence Holiday?
American musician
When was Clarence Holiday born?
Clarence Holiday was born on 23 July 1895 in Baltimore.
When did Clarence Holiday die?
Clarence Holiday died on 23 February 1937 in Dallas.
What was Clarence Holiday's occupation?
Clarence Holiday was a musician and jazz guitarist.
What nationality was Clarence Holiday?
Clarence Holiday was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Clarence Holiday. https://biography.guide/clarence-holiday/
MLA: "Clarence Holiday." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/clarence-holiday/.
Chicago: "Clarence Holiday." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/clarence-holiday/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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