Female Jazz Performers

The introduction of jazz began in the late 1800s and has continued to spread throughout history still today. In the beginning, women who played an instrument or even helped with the bands within their communities were not recognized. The first few important people recognized were male, such as Scott Joplin, Wilbur Sweatman, Buddy Bolden, etc. Women were not recognized in jazz for a couple of decades until jazz became a household function. Those females who did create “all-girl” performers were mostly known throughout their hometowns and played for smaller crowds unless they became extremely famous such as Ella Fitzgerald, who was a scat singer beginning in the swing era of the 1930s.

In the early 1900s, there were all-female saxophone bands such as the Schuster Sisters Saxophone Quartette and The Darling Saxophone Four in 1910. These bands would play within their cities and for small gatherings. As jazz progressed, more women were noticed and were able to achieve fame. Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Mamie Smith were known as “Blues Divas” in the 1920s. Ma Rainey was an African American singer and became known as the “Mother of the Blues” for singing the vaudeville blues. Bessie Smith, “Empress of the Blues,” had a powerful voice and later starred in a short film in 1929. She performed “Reckless Blues” with the accompaniment of Louis Armstrong. Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” becomes the first “race” recording hit in 1920.

The 1930s were called the swing era and became more known throughout households. More women were recognized for their time in the music business as time passed on. Lil Hardin, after working in New Orleans and Chicago, created an “all-girls” band, which performed regularly on the NBC radio network. Lil Hardin was a famous solo pianist for many years. Jazz was worldwide and there were “all-girl” bands in the Netherlands as well. One, in particular, was known as Clara De Vries and Her Jazzladies which consisted of a variety of instruments including the tenor saxophone, accordion, cornet, trombone, etc. Another important female band to recognize during this time period is the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. They were the first integrated, all-female band. Most of its musicians were African American although other members were of other nationalities.

Larger, well-known performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Mary Lou Williams became household names for those who listened to jazz. Mary Lou Williams played piano who began backstage and then one day gained a spotlight position and was hired immediately. Both Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday grew up with a tough childhood and later became successful. Billie Holiday was cited as jazz’s greatest vocalist. She was invited to record for Goodman’s band by John Hammond and thereafter became sensational. Ella Fitzgerald is the irrepressible spirit of musical joy. She had four octaves and used scat singing throughout some of her performances which brought her great attention. She was never hired in the beginning due to her looks until Chick Webb heard her. From then on, she was on every one of his records and later became known as the “First Lady of Swing”.

As the time continued on, more females were recognized and brought into the spotlight for their chance to shine. In the modern-day, there are performers such as Dianne Reeves, Yissy Garcia, Sasha Berliner, etc. These women are wonderful musicians who participate in jazz today and are able to share their talent with the world. Sasha Berliner is a vibraphonist as well as a composer. She has worked with many famous artists and plans to produce her own band in the future. Yissy Garcia is a drummer and composer who has also mastered Afro-Cuban jazz and rock styles. She currently leads her own band. Dianne Reeves is the first woman to receive the Jazz Legends Award. She is a Grammy winner and continues to do amazing things with jazz music.

Over the century and more, jazz itself has changed tremendously as well as those who are recognized and perform jazz music. Females have always been in jazz; however, it wasn’t until a few decades after jazz became better known that females were recognized. Over time, women will be seen as equally qualified to win awards such as Dianne Reeves won the Jazz Legends Award which is the highest honor for jazz in the United States. Moreover, females have participated throughout the last century and more and will pursue more careers while attempting to spread jazz.

Bibliography

1. 10 Rising Women Instrumentalists. n.d. Web site. 18 March 2019. .
2. All-Female Bands of the Early 20th Century - Happy Women's History Month! n.d. Web site. 18 March 2019. .
3. Deveaux, Scott and Gary Giddins. Jazz 2nd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009, 2015. Book.
4. Hartmann, Margaret. All-Female Swing Band Crossed Gender & Color Lines In The 1940s. 19 June 2013. Web site. 18 March 2019. .
5. Official site of Dianne Reeves. 2018. Web site. 18 March 2019. .