Freedom of Expression: Interviews With Women in Jazz

Since the arrival of the 21st century, jazz has evolved into a truly cross-generational, multicultural musical art form that is assimilating an unprecedented array of musical styles and techniques. At the same time, the male-dominated paradigm that has defined the historical narrative of jazz is no more. Women are shaking up the music industry while the general public is becoming much more aware of the contributions female musicians have made to jazz.

"Freedom of Expression: Interviews With Women in Jazz," a collection of interviews with 37 female musicians, musicians of all ages, nationalities, and races, and representing nearly every style of jazz one can imagine, provides evidence of this profound evolution. The interviewees, including Terri Lyne Carrington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eliane Elias, Carmen Lundy, Anat Cohen, Diane Schuur, and Sherrie Maricle, speak about their earliest experiences playing music, the years of practice required to become a professional musician, and what jazz means in the new millennium. These interviews will inform and inspire both casual and seasoned fans of this music, as well as young musicians taking their first steps in the journey to master their craft.

"At long last, an in-depth recognition of the female contributions to jazz. As Dr. Billy Taylor said about the lack of awareness of female musicians: 'If it isn't written down, it didn't happen.' Now everyone will know that it did happen and continues to happen. What a great gift to the history of women and music." - Judy Chaikin, director of "The Girls in the Band."

The interviewees:

Mindi Abair - Saxophones
Cheryl Bentyne - Voice
Jane Ira Bloom - Soprano Saxophone
Samantha Boshnack - Trumpet
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Voice
Terri Lyne Carrington - Drums
Sharel Cassity - Saxophones
Anat Cohen - Clarinet, Saxophones
Jean Cook - Violin
Connie Crothers - Piano
Eliane Elias - Piano, Voice
Ayelet Rose Gottlieb - Voice
Lenae Harris- Cello
Val Jeanty - Electronics, Percussion
Jan Leder - Flute
Jennifer Leitham - Double Bass
Carmen Lundy - Voice
Sherrie Maricle - Drums
Jane Monheit - Voice
Jacqui Naylor - Voice
Aurora Nealand - Saxophones, Clarinet
Iris Ornig - Double Bass
Alisha Pattillo - Tenor Saxophone
Roberta Piket - Piano
Cheryl Pyle - Flute
Nicole Rampersaud - Trumpet
Sofia Rei - Voice
Patrizia Scascitelli - Piano
Diane Schuur - Voice
Ellen Seeling - Trumpet
Helen Sung - Piano
Jacqui Sutton - Voice
Mazz Swift - Violin, Voice
Nioka Workman - Cello
Pamela York - Piano
Brandee Younger - Harp
Malika Zarra - Voice