Women in Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B
Women composers and performers in the world of jazz, blues, soul, rhythm and blues, and related music.
Josephine Baker
Biography and links for this pioneer African American jazz singer and entertainer whose career was shadowed by racism. From your Women's History Guide.
Biography and links for this pioneer African American jazz singer and entertainer whose career was shadowed by racism. From your Women's History Guide.
Lena Horne
A profile of Lena Horne, African American singer and actress, from Jone Johnson Lewis, About Women's History Guide.
A profile of Lena Horne, African American singer and actress, from Jone Johnson Lewis, About Women's History Guide.
Lena Horne Quotes
Quotes from actress and singer Lena Horne.
Quotes from actress and singer Lena Horne.
Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
Remembering Nina Simone - Books, Videos, Music
Nina Simone (1935-2003), the "High Priestess of Soul" in the 1960s, was always difficult to classify into a particular musical style: soul, blues, jazz, protest -- all of the above and none of them; she was a classical pianist, as well. Her anger at America, expressed in "Mississippi Goddam," eased in her later years, but she continued to live outside the country where she'd encountered injustice.
Nina Simone (1935-2003), the "High Priestess of Soul" in the 1960s, was always difficult to classify into a particular musical style: soul, blues, jazz, protest -- all of the above and none of them; she was a classical pianist, as well. Her anger at America, expressed in "Mississippi Goddam," eased in her later years, but she continued to live outside the country where she'd encountered injustice.
Bessie Smith - Photographs by Carl Van Vechten
A series of photographs by the notable photographer, Carl Van Vechten, of the "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith. Small and large versions available.
A series of photographs by the notable photographer, Carl Van Vechten, of the "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith. Small and large versions available.
Sophie Tucker
The "last of the red hot mamas" was a 50-year hit with the American and English public.
The "last of the red hot mamas" was a 50-year hit with the American and English public.
Ethel Waters
Jessica McElrath, About Guide to African American History, remembers a jazz and blues great whose name isn't the household name of other artists, but whose influence on the world of music is undeniable.
Jessica McElrath, About Guide to African American History, remembers a jazz and blues great whose name isn't the household name of other artists, but whose influence on the world of music is undeniable.
Posters of Women in Jazz
Women's contribution to jazz has been mostly as singers, though a few have also been instrumentalists. If you'd like to give some of the ladies of jazz a place in your home, office or classroom, here are some posters and art prints featuring Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and -- in a rare treat -- Lil Armstrong, appearing with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band.
Women's contribution to jazz has been mostly as singers, though a few have also been instrumentalists. If you'd like to give some of the ladies of jazz a place in your home, office or classroom, here are some posters and art prints featuring Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and -- in a rare treat -- Lil Armstrong, appearing with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band.
Top Albums: Women in Jazz and the Blues
The history of jazz and the blues has featured a few fantastic women as vocalists and some, though fewer, as instrumentalists. These selections highlight some of the women who've made contributions to jazz and blues history. If you're interested in expanding or deepening your knowledge of women in jazz and the blues, here are some suggested albums to get started with.
The history of jazz and the blues has featured a few fantastic women as vocalists and some, though fewer, as instrumentalists. These selections highlight some of the women who've made contributions to jazz and blues history. If you're interested in expanding or deepening your knowledge of women in jazz and the blues, here are some suggested albums to get started with.
Ida Cox
Ida Cox One of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, Ida Cox (born in 1889) ran away from home when she was 14 to join travelling vaudeville shows such as Clark's Minstrels.
Ida Cox One of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, Ida Cox (born in 1889) ran away from home when she was 14 to join travelling vaudeville shows such as Clark's Minstrels.
Aretha Franklin
In 1987 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored the First Lady of Soul. Her extensive discography is also available online.
In 1987 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored the First Lady of Soul. Her extensive discography is also available online.
Ruth Etting
A profile of the Sweetheart of Song, Ruth Etting, 1897-1978. (plays music on loading)
A profile of the Sweetheart of Song, Ruth Etting, 1897-1978. (plays music on loading)
Aretha Franklin
"Time 100" tribute to the Queen of Soul includes 3-page biography, timeline, image, a 1968 Time Magazine review of her soul music, and quotations.
"Time 100" tribute to the Queen of Soul includes 3-page biography, timeline, image, a 1968 Time Magazine review of her soul music, and quotations.
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 1999, Sweet Honey in the Rock is noted for their a capella music rooted in African and African American culture.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 1999, Sweet Honey in the Rock is noted for their a capella music rooted in African and African American culture.
Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981)
Biography of the jazz pianist, composer and arranger.
Biography of the jazz pianist, composer and arranger.