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. They make great gifts, too!
1. Billie, Ella, Lena, Sarah!
The grande dames of jazz: Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Sarah Vaughan are doing some of the music they do best on this album. Not to be missed!
2. Key Moments
A collection of Mary Lou Williams pieces, from 1995.3. Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
Etta James, in a 1994 release, with some of Billie Holiday's haunting songs including "Embraceable You," "Body and Soul," "I'll Be Seeing You," and "How Deep is the Ocean."4. Bittersweet: The Very Best of Nina Simone
Remastered recordings from 1957-1971 include "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." If you like her current work, this album's a good one to explore her earlier style.5. 70: A Seventieth Birthday Celebration
Honoring Rosemary Clooney's 70th birthday, this album (HDCD) is mostly a collection of Clooney's Concord label recordings. Linda Ronstadt and k.d. lang join her on one new track, "Love is Here to Stay."6. Divas of Swing: Vintage Masters
With swing back in style, these selections deserve to come back, too! Featured women artists on this 2001 CD or cassette include Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Humes, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney and Billie Holiday.7. Concord's Women in Jazz
Includes current artists (2001) for Concord Recording, including Rosemary Clooney and Marian McPartland, Diane Schuur and Nnenna Freelon, more. Selections include jazz classics like "Take the A Train" and some much newer pieces.8. Anthology 1944-1959 by Billie Holiday
If you're wondering why this album's down here at #8, it's only because Billie Holiday's work is represented in several other albums listed above. But for just Billie -- this one's a treasure. The two-disc set includes "God Bless the Child," "Strange Fruit," "All of Me" -- a total of 25 tracks, 15 recorded live.9. Great Original Performances: King Oliver, 1923-1930
Lil Hardin Armstrong is the pianist and arranger of the 1923 selections on this jazz classic from the early days of Chicago jazz. Also introduces the young Louis Armstrong.