Irene Kitchings

Irene Armstrong Wilson Kitchings (c. 1908 - March 4, 1975) was an African-American jazz pianist, band leader, and songwriter. She performed as both a solo act and with bands. Kitchings co-wrote the songs "Some Other Spring", "Ghost of Yesterday", and "I'm Pulling Through", all of which were recorded by Billie Holiday.

Life and career Irene Kitchings was born Violet Irene Armstrong in Marietta, Ohio. Her birth year is either 1903 or 1908. As a child, she lived in Muncie, Indiana, with her parents and sister, Grace. She moved to Detroit at age 13 to live with an aunt. Her mother taught her to play piano as a child.

Kitchings met and became friends with Billie Holiday after the two women were introduced by Wilson. After Kitchings divorced Wilson, Holiday introduced her to songwriter and composer, Arthur Herzog, Jr.. Together, Herzog and Kitchings wrote "Some Other Spring", a song that was first recorded by Holiday. Two of their other songs, "Ghost of Yesterday," and "I'm Pulling Through", were also recorded by Holiday.

Kitchings, who suffered from Eale's Disease, fell ill and moved to Cleveland to stay with an aunt. While in Cleveland, she met and married Elden Kitchings, learned to play the organ, and became active in her church.