1. Female Blues & Jazz Artists

2. Bessie Smith
Biography:
Best-selling Blues artist of her time
“Empress of the Blues”
Major influence and inspiration for artists such as Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin
Died in a car crash at 43

3. Mary Lou Williams
( )
Interview:
Child prodigy, performing since 8 years old
Worked with Duke Ellington before she was 20
Jazz pianist and composer
Leading figure in Bop
60 year career
Style evolved as jazz music changed over the years
The Lady Who Swings the Band:

4. Ella Fitzgerald (1917 - 1996) Biography: “First Lady of Jazz”
Known for scat singing.
Career lasted more than 50 years.
Born in Newport News, VA.
Homeless as a teen, after leaving school.
First #1: “A Tisket, A Tasket”
Broke into pop music charts in the 70s.
Over 2,000 songs recorded and 13 Grammys

5. Billie Holiday ( )
Considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time.
Her autobiography was made into the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues.
Song:
Distinctive phrasing and expressive, often melancholy voice.
In 2000, Billie Holiday was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

6. Nina Simone ( )
What Happened, Miss Simone?
“Feelin’ Good”:
Real name: Eunice Kathleen Waymon
Pianist, Singer, Musician, Civil Rights Activist
Classically trained pianist - wanted to be the first African American concert pianist, went to Juilliard to train, but ran out of money and had to leave.
Jazz, Blues, and Folk music
60s - leading voice in Civil Rights Movement
Music style defied genres - included elements of classical, gospel, folk, pop, blues, and jazz.