“Girls In The Band” – History of Women in Jazz

Last term I took a Jazz History class at the community college, read a huge text book about jazz, and watched the entire Ken Burns documentary, Jazz!, and was appalled over the lack of coverage on ladies of the jazz era. In fact, during my entire class, I don’t think the professor spent more than 5 minutes on any combination of lady jazz legends (and when he did, he was simply using Billie Holiday as an example of someone who was influenced by Louis Armstrong’s vocal style).

Yes, one could argue that sexism back in the day prohibited female musicians and singers from “living the dream” like their male counterparts, thus limiting them from getting the fame they deserved. Still, there are tons of female legends that should have gotten more attention in my jazz history class…

Which brings me to the discovery of Girls In The Band – a video documentary that is trying to get off the ground and actually appreciate and pay homage to the ladies of the jazz era. The film makers are trying to raise money for this project, and need your support. Let’s not let women continue to slip through the cracks of [music] history.