A movie about the life of jazz singer Anita O’Day is in development. She died three years ago at the age of 87. Sheri Howell is producing the movie through Los Angeles-based 47 Pictures Inc.

O’Day performed with the big bands of Gene Krupa and Stan Kenton. She also teamed with Charlie Parker and Louis Armstrong. She established a solo career that matches Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and Sarah Vaughn.

Howell told Variety, “While most stories and projects about O’Day so far have focused on her unbelievable force of will and perseverance, there’s an amazingly rich story to be told about her vulnerability, and this almost childlike search for love and acceptance that guided her… very often in the wrong direction.”