How women, both American and internationally, have affected jazz.
As I watched Ken Burns history of jazz, it was no secret that women were rarities in the jazz world until the 1970s when things began to open up a bit, especially in Brazil. And I must admit i am a big fan of Brazillian jazz.
There have always been women's presence in singing, however. Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Ellla Fitzgerald, just to name a few. Astrid Gilberto was the first Brazilian singer I heard (on the Jonny Carson Show) and I immediately fell for her whispering breathy voice.
I would like to throw out an American singer as my first offereing. I am smart enough not to make it Patricia Barber or Diana Krall, both of whomn are excellent jazz pianists, because I've already seen how most "serious" jazz afficianados dismiss them right off the bat. Instead, I will submit the name of Cassandra Wilson.
I have been listening to jazz most of my life, and I have gone to many live jazz concerts. With that background, I consider Cassandra Wild to be a true innovator in jazz singing. I have recently purchased three of her albums. I have never heard any other singer like her. If you have not heard her, I would suggest "New Moon Daughter." If you have a turntable, there is a fantastic AAA album reissue. I can't stop playing it.
Cassandra is AWESOME, and she gets AWESOME Musicians. My favorite album is 'Blue Light til Dawn' Her version of Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey, I can't go very long without hearing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJuKHy64inE&list=RDrJuKHy64inE&start_radio=1 |
As a huge fan of contemporary progressive jazz, there are no problems finding plenty of women instrumentalists, with major chops, in various subgenres of jazz. Here are a few off the top of my heard. Mary Halvoerson - avant-garde guitarist. Very prolific, plays with various ensembles. Ingrid Laubrock - great sax player, quite creative. Tomeka Reid - virtuosic cellist. Very creative. Janel Leppin - another great cellist. Inhabits what is often referred to as "chamber-jazz" with her group, Ensemble Volcanic Ash. Muriel Grossmann - Austrian sax player. Best classified as "spiritual jazz". Hints of Alice Coltrane. Hiromi - fusion keyboardist, with terrifying chops. Mohini Dey - fusion bassist. Literally one of the best bassists on the planet. There are videos of her at the age of 11 performing with her father, and she embarrassed most electric bass players then.
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@elliottbnewcombjr +++ for Diana Krall. The late great recording engineer Al Schmitt talked about her in his autobiography. He was extremely impressed with her musicianship and that fact that she insisted on playing while singing during recording. No over-dubs for her. No trickery of any kind. Bonnie and I saw her live last year in West Palm Beach at the Kravits Center. I would love to see her in a more intimate setting some time. |
Oleta Adams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMvapCHumpE&list=RDTMvapCHumpE&start_radio=1 Came to mind, because if close enough, Get Here: The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (also known as The SASSY Awards), held annually at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), has honored the following winners:
Earlier winners listed in the competition’s history include Ashleigh Smith (2014), Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, and Samara Joy (2019, who later won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2023). The competition is open to singers over 18, of all genders and nationalities, who are not signed to a major label. I missed the 1st 2 years, then every show until covid, started up again, one of the best musical events you will ever attend, in the wonderful small theater at NJPAC
Typical batch of contestants (occasionally men), April May Webb won |
