Few and far between – but fabulous!
Women in jazz could not be merely good at what they did, they had to be outstanding. Since its beginning, as with all the arts, it’s been a man’s world. For centuries, male dominance prevailed in all types of music. In western civilization, for example, women were not even allowed to sing in church until about the year 1000. There were practically no women composers until the 20th century. A very few had their music performed under the name of a male composer. In fact, until recently, women didn’t even get to play in established orchestras and it was considered decidedly unfeminine to play a brass or reed instrument. Women had many barriers to overcome and those who did were exceptional at both composing and playing their instruments.
The good news is that the situation changed and women are receiving their dues. The Coast’s own Jazz Group of Seven along with singer, pianist and composer Jennifer Scott will pay tribute to selected women in a special concert: Women Jazz Composers. Some are well known – Peggy Lee, Billy Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Diana Krall and Vancouver musician Jill Townsend; others less so, but their tunes are memorable: Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, Willow Weep For Me, Good Morning Heartache, and Nat King Cole’s early hit, Walkin’. Jennifer Scott will favour us with two of her own songs as well as one by Beth Jay, the JGof7’s bassist.
Women Jazz Composers: The Jazz Group of Seven with Jennifer Scott is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at St. John’s United Church, Davis Bay. Tickets $20 Strait Music (Sechelt) and Laedeli Gifts and Cards (Gibsons).
– John Frederickson
