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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.

audio-b-dog
elliottbnewcombjr
7,694 posts
 

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:

  • 2025: Kate Kortum (Houston, TX), who received the top prize and a $5,000 cash award. 

  • 2024: April May Webb (Edison, NJ), who won the 13th annual competition. 

  • 2023: Tyreek McDole (St. Cloud, FL), the second male vocalist to win the contest’s 12-year history at that time. 

  • 2022: Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso (Veracruz, Mexico), who won the 11th annual competition. 

  • 2021: Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim were announced as co-winners of the competition held in June 2021. 

  • 2020: Information is missing from the search context regarding the 2020 winner (the competition was likely canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, as the 10th annual winner was listed in 2021).

  • 2019: G. Thomas Allen (Chicago, IL), the first male vocalist to win the 10th annual competition. 

  • 2018: Laurin Talese.

  • 2015: Arianna Neikrug.

  • 2013: Jazzmeia Horn.

  • 2012: Cyrille Aimée.

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

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,181 posts
 

Shirley Horn is one of my favorite female Jazz Piano/Vocalist!

Shirley Horn

audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
777 posts
 

The first woman Jazz musician (instrumentalist) I really got into was Alice Coltrane. I took a date to see her in a small club south of L.A. She blew me away, but that was without Pharoah Sanders. Her albums with Pharoah Sanders, like "Journey Through Satchidananda" were groundbreaking. They were influenced by John Coltrane's spirituality but were not at all deriviative. I know certain people like more "standard" jazz that followed bebop, but I love all of the new incarnations. I prefer jazz that goes more to the heart than the head, and women are very good at that. BTW, "Journey Through Satchinanda" AAA reissue mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound is fantastic. There is at least one other reissue that was taken from digital sources. I mistakenly purchased it and it screeched into my ears. If you're going to buy it on vinyl, look for the real deal.

stuartk
3,990 posts
 

Rick Beato’s interview with Hiromi is well worth watching: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKd9OkMPcc

He is clearly entranced... with good reason! 

"Head vs. Heart" is a false dichotomy. Personally, I want both. 

 

srinisr
64 posts
 

I'm surprised "Lady Day" Billie Holiday hasn't been mentioned...

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