“Diversifying the jazz canon requires the inclusion of women composers, particularly works that are accessible to beginning and intermediate improvisors in terms of tempo, register, harmony and form. I encourage jazz musicians and educators to program this music and present it alongside works by gender non-binary and GLBTQIA+ composers. Sharing this music and it’s context with beginning students is a crucial step for a music culture that aims to transform away from patriarchal and heteronormative patterns and practices.”

— Jon Ailaboni

Selections by Women Composers for Beginning and Intermediate Level Improvisors

Women composers of Tin Pan Alley

· Berncie Petkere

o Lullaby Of The Leaves (AABA)

o Close Your Eyes (AABA)

· Ann Ronell

o Willow Weep For Me (AABA)

Prominent 20th century composers

· Lillian Hardin Armstrong

o Struttin With Some Barbeque (ABAC)

o Just For A Thrill (ABA’B’)

o Riffin' the Blues (NOLA Blues)

o Perdido Street Blues (Blues – lead sheet in Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards)

· Mary Lou Williams

o Conversation (Blues)

o Walkin’ and Swingin’ (AABA)

o Roll Em’ (Boogie Woogie piano)

o Offertory (3/4 fast minor blues)

o What’s Your Story Morning Glory (Slow Blues) Ella’s version

o I Have A Dream (3/4 with lyrics set to words by Martin Luther King Jr.)

· Melba Liston

o Blues Melba (Blues)

o Just Waiting (ABA Ballad)

o Melba’s Tune (Ballad AABACA’)

· Carla Bley

o Sing Me Softly Of The Blues (14 bar form)

o Lawns (16 bar form)

Notable composers of the 1930s and 40s

· Vivien Garry – A Woman’s Place Is In The Groove (Med-Up tempo Blues)

· Jane Feather – Cat Meets Chick (ABAB’, A sections resemble “In A Mellow Tone”)

· The International Sweethearts of Rhythm – Jump Children (Riff Blues, Vocal Feature for Anna Mae Winburn) (Live video)

Notable composers of the 1950s and 60s

· Terry Pollard – Fedj (AABA resembles “Confirmation” by Charlie Parker)

· Mary Osborne – Mary’s Goodbye Blues (Slow Blues)

· Vi Redd – Lady Soul (Slow 12/8 Blues)

· Shirley Scott – Blues Everywhere (Blues)

Notable composers of the 1970s and 80s

· Alice Coltrane – Blue Nile (Minor Blues)

· Emily Remler – Blues for Herb (Up tempo Blues)

Living Composers

· Ayn Inserto – Notorious RBG (Hip Hop groove, originally set for large jazz ensemble)

· Tia Fuller – Simpli-City (Modal)

· Renee Rosnes – Goodbye Mumbai (AA’BA)

· Monika Herzig – Just Another Day At The Office (AABA Funky)

· Caroline Davis – Kowtow (AA’BA’ 6/8 feel)

· Laura Caviani – Watching The Game (32 bar form, Shuffle)

· Grace Kelly – Filosophical Flying Fish (Blues, Second Line)

· Ingrid Jensen – Skookum [Spook]

· Jessica Williams – Blue Tuesday (16 bar Modal)

· Billie Holiday – Fine and Mellow (Slow Blues)

Notable omissions

· Marian McPartland

· Maria Schneider

· Toshiko Akiyoshi

· Dorothy Donegan

· Jane Ira Bloom

· Christine Jensen

· Geri Allen

· Ellen Rowe

· Esperanza Spalding

· Terri Lyne Carrington

· Linda May Han Oh

· Many others!

Presented at the Jazz Education Network Conference on January 6, 2024 in New Orleans, LA.

Playlists

Teri Lynne Carrington’s New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers

Centering Women Composers in The Jazz Canon with Beginning Improvisation Students