In the early 1900s jazz became a stepping stone for women. After the Women’s liberation movement in the 1920s jazz became an outlet to rebel. Along with the ratification of the 18th and 19th amendments women became more empowered and wanted to be seen as individuals. There were plenty of obstacles along the way women had to face to become part of the jazz world. However in time jazz changed the way women are perceived; it gave women freedom, acceptance and opportunity. In return women such as Mary Lou Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Lil Harden and more made significant contributions to jazz music that shaped it and made jazz what it is today. Although women have made huge contributions to jazz back in the early 1900s most female musicians went unnoticed. Innovations in jazz seemed to come mainly from those who played wind instruments, such as trumpet, saxophone or the clarinet. However these were considered male positions. Most women took on other instruments such as the piano. Mary Lou Williams and Lillian Hardin were pianists and are currently recognized as great contributors to jazz music, but did not receive this same recognition back in the early 1900s. During this time women were sometimes used in a band more for their looks rather than talent. It wasn’t until the introduction of female vocalists whose role was similar to those of the featured wind instruments that broadened the dimensions of jazz. These melodic voice improvisations were one of the main contributions women made to jazz. This definitely helped give recognition to women such as Ella Fitzgerald and changed the role and outlook on women forever. Mary Lou William was one of the most accomplished and influential female jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and teacher ... ... middle of paper ... ...jazz bands or played in family-based groups. Women fought for years for a turn in the spotlight and finally received it when Ella Fitzgerald came along. Fitzgerald created the turning point for acceptance of women into the jazz industry wen voice was added as an important instrument to the art. Back in the day women like Fitzgerald, were able to enjoy successful careers and worldwide popularity while some of the other women were less fortunate. However these famous women; Fitzgerald, Hardin, and Williams, are the reason women got accepted into this industry and without these women’s persistence jazz would never be the same. Overall, there are so many women who have made great contributions to jazz. Fitzgerald, Hardin and Williams are just a few that overcame sexism to peruse their dreams. With this accomplishment women gained power, freedom and changed jazz forever.
Her influence is simply not a question; it is a salutation to a musical icon that has embedded her legacy into musical history. When I think of the word artist, I think of someone who is innovative, original and someone who has style and a sound all their own. One artist that comes to mind is Janet Jackson. They simply don’t make artists like Janet anymore. Unfortunately, she was the last of her kind.
In the book Women in the Civil War, by Mary Massey, the author tells about how American women had an impact on the Civil War. She mentioned quite a few famous and well-known women such as, Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton, who were nurses, and Pauline Cushman and Belle Boyd, who were spies. She also mentioned black abolitionists, Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, feminist Susan B. Anthony, and many more women. Massey talks about how the concept of women changed as a result of the war. She informed the readers about the many accomplishments made by those women.
According to Ruth Feldstein “Nina Simone recast black activism in the 1960’s.” Feldstein goes on to say that “Simone was known to have supported the struggle for black freedom in the United States much earlier, and in a more outspoken manner around the world than many other African American entertainers.” Her family ties to the south, her unique talent, her ability to travel and make money are similar to the Blues women movement that preceded her. It can be said that Nina Simone goes a step further the by directly attacking inequities pertaining to race and gender in her music. However, what distinguishes her is her unique musicianship and that is what ultimately garners her massive exposure and experiences over those of her past contemporaries.
Joyce Bryant was very notable in the black community, these two were among some of Zeldas most notable achievements. Along side with working for those two, she designed evening, cocktail, and wedding gowns for:
The issue of race is central to all discourses of jazz. Alongside race goes the problem of representation, or, who gets to play what for whom and under what circumstance. Problems of representation abound from the beginning of jazz history, usually centered on white representation of black music and culture from a negative vantage point. Iconic examples of this phenomenon include the 1917 release of
Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday were both prominent jazz singer-songwriters during the same time and masters in their own right, but their worlds could not have been further apart. In 1939, while they were both in the midst of experiencing mainstream success, Ella was touring with Ella and her Famous Orchestra and showcasing her perfect pitch and tone to the world while singing songs that would soon become standards to fellow singers and musicians. Billie was singing solo, comfortable with her limited range, and gaining the adoration of audiences nationwide who loved her soulful voice. Both of these historic singers made contributions to the art of jazz, with vocalists and instrumentalists still using elements of their style today. Ella
All types of music require musicians. In the H.R (Harlem Renaissance), there were many who contributed to this new style of music known as jazz. These musicians all have their own style and form. Each of these styles has in some way influenced the evolution of jazz. Louis “Sachmo” Armstrong is recognized as the most famous trumpet player of this time. His “hot bop” style was heard in places like the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theatre. Everyone from all over the country would come to see him. Armstrong recorded such works as I’m in the Mood for Love, and You Rascal you (http://library.thinkquest.org/26656/english/music.html). Another famous person during this era was Coleman Hawkins, a saxophone player. Hawkins is recognized as the first great saxophonists of Jazz. His most famous work was a piece named Body and Soul (http://library.thinkquest.org…). Hawkins has also recorded with artists such as Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. Other people such as Bessie Smith, Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, and “Dizzie” Gillespie have also made many contributions to the development of Jazz.
While Jim Crow laws were reeking havoc on the lives of African Americans in the South, a massed exodus of Southern musicians, particularly from New Orleans, spread the seeds of Jazz as far north as New York City. A new genre of music produced fissures in the walls of racial discrimination thought to be impenetrable. Musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, "King" Oliver and Fletcher Henderson performed to the first desegregated audiences. Duke Ellington starred in the first primetime radio program to feature an African American artist. And a quirky little girl from Missouri conquered an entire country enthralled by her dark skin, curvaceous body and dynamic personality. Josephine Baker was more than a Jazz musician. She embodied the freedom and expressiveness of that which is known as Jazz.
Women’s sufferage was at it’s peak with the ratification of the United States Nineteenth Amendment. Women recived more independence after the end of the First World War and took a greater part in the work force. In the 1920s, there were many famous women Jazz artists such as Lovie Austin, a piano player and band leader, Lil Hardin Armstrong, a pianist who was originally a member of King Oliver’s band, and Bessie Smith, an African-American blues singer who inspired women like Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. Although women were also making a difference in the Jazz industry, it wasn’t until the 1930s when they were recongnized as successful artists in the music world.
Known as the “Empress Of Blues”, Bessie Smith was said to have revolutionized the vocal end of Blues Music. She showed a lot of pride as an independent African-American woman. Her style in performance and lyrics often reflected her lifestyle. Bessie Smith was one of the first female jazz artists, and she paved the way for many musicians who followed.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, This is what Elizabeth Douglas and Aretha Franklin both sought out for with regards to African American women in the 1960s. Both of these inspirational women had an extensive role in the Civil Rights Movement. Elizabeth Douglas, more commonly known as Memphis Minnie, used her guitar to change the lives of a bountiful number of people in America. Meanwhile, Aretha Franklin used her recognizable voice to help embolden equal opportunities for African American women and men. Even though Elizabeth and Aretha had unique styles of music, both of these women had common interests when it came to the equality for African American men and woman. The woman in the music industry significantly impacted the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Elizabeth Douglas was one of the numerous women in the music industry to try to put an end to segregation in stores, in restaurants, movie theaters, in life, and even in the work place.
Jazz music prospered in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Jazz was created by African Americans to represent pain and suffering and also represented the adversity that racial tension brought. (Scholastic) African American performers like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie “Bird” Parker came to be recognized for their ability to overcome “race relati...
Women of the blues brought the black culture to a new chapter of recognition. They made blues as a popular music, and gave an opportunity to black culture to be accepted and also gave the people a chance to do something (a job) beyond the scope of plantation. They brought the blues to a performance stage and make it more universal so they can fit in not just to black listeners but also the white. Although on their first performance their blues were not considered as the real blues, because blues was considered to be man culture and in order to be able to sing the blues, a man should experience a journey mostly a bitter journey. Actually the women also experienced a journey and it was not a merely sweet and easy journey. Women had to sing from one club to another, from one city to another, they were live on the road. Living such life was not easy at all; women also had to deal with the dark side of an entertainment world.
As shared in the article, “Feminist Aesthetics in Jazz: An Interview with Susanne Vincenza of Alive”, by Mary S. Pollock, states that “ women musicians have been silenced by rigid stereotypes and economic sanctions as systematically as women writers, women politicians, and all other women professional”. They have faced many obstacles while trying to accomplish something they should not be judged for just because they are women. Gender difference impacted the society to develop this idea there are certain things proved and other aren 't for women. Even though, women made a major important contribution to the mainstream of jazz through history more than men have. Jazz had been one of those which has revolutionary feminist conciseness because of how it started and changed things for women. Since that had started to turn out good, women were still not playing any instruments during performances because it was a manly thing. It was not considered feminine for women to play, as an example, drums. Just to include, it was considerably okay for women to sing, even some what acceptable for women to play the piano as well. Something over these two things for women would still not be acceptable even though some tried to go beyond it. Other instruments were left for men to play, even though if we look at right now women are able to
Now a days, many believe that jazz is not that important of music genre, but with our history, jazz plays a big role. “Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but it is a gift that America has given to the world.”, quoted by Ahmad Alaadeen. Jazz in the 1920’s opened the eyes of whites and invited them into African American culture; it evolved Americans to where we are today since it brought a change to the music scene, an acceptance of African Americans, and a change of lifestyles.