When jazz was a bigger deal, the western world (and most importantly the US) was a lot more sexist. Now that there are more women in professional music, jazz isn’t a thing that really makes you famous anymore.
Yes, we’ve all heard of Winton and Branford Marsalis and Diana Krall. They’re nothing compared to Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Of Monsters and Men…
“Girls in the Band” documentary tells the story of female jazz instrumentalists.
If she counts, then let’s add Nina Simone.
But the person I came in to mention is Hiromi Uehara; she totally fucking rocks!
What about Ruth Underwood? She played with Frank Zappa back in the '70s.
If flamenco can count as jazz, then I have to mention Gabriela Quintero of Rodrigo y Gabriela.
I came in to mention Tal!
Regina Carter plays some damn good jazz violin – I think she won a MacArthur “genius” grant a few years ago.
What, nobody’s mentioned Hiromi Uehara yet?
I’m “nobody”?
Is this a joke?
Yeah, I hadn’t noticed that. Silly and sexist.
Been monitoring the posts. Plenty of great additions to the list. Someone like Diana Krall reminds me of Bonnie Raitt - clearly top-tier as an instrumentalist/soloist, but consciously went the route of commercially-appealing singer/performer, with their instrumental lead work a “cherry on top.” That is NO slam at all - merely pointing out the fact that they made the choice. Clapton ended up doing the same thing starting in the early 70’s…
Candy Dulfer, the Dutch sax player who plays more smooth jazz than actual jazz. She excels at funk, IMO. Competent female horn players of any kind seem less common.
Damn my dirty glasses!
Valaida Snow was quite an amazing musician. From that wiki link:
I’m more familiar with her vocal music, and she’s got a ton of personality as well as a great voice.
Here’s a short clip of a documentary on her trumpet playing and career.