Final answer:
The incorrect statement about Billie Holiday's vocal style is that she primarily performed in opera style. Known for her nuanced jazz and blues singing, Holiday's style featured a unique timbre and was influenced by jazz instrumentalists, not opera.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is not true of Billie Holiday's vocal style is: d) She primarily performed in opera style. Billie Holiday was known for her unique voice in the realm of jazz and blues, not opera. Her vocal style was indeed characterized by a unique timbre (a), and she often utilized vibrato in her singing (b). Additionally, her phrasing was innovative as it was influenced by jazz instrumentalists (c), rather than following the operatic tradition of singing.
Billie Holiday's influence on jazz and blues is often paralleled with singers like Bessie Smith, who was known as "The Empress of the Blues." This comparison highlights the significant contributions both vocalists made to their respective genres. Unlike Bessie Smith, whose powerful voice commanded the blues scene, Billie Holiday's approach was more subtle and nuanced, employing emotional expression over vocal power.