All-Female Jazz Bands

All women jazz bands have been a part jazz history since very early on in its formation. They allowed female jazz instrumentalists a chance to play among peers who viewed them as equals and focus on simply playing good music rather than fighting against gender issues. In the 1930s, WWII gave women the opportunity to come to the forefront in jazz. Several all female bands were created including the International Sweethearts of Rhythm (the first female band to be integrated) and Sharon Rogers All Girl Orchestra who played on the USO circuit. The end of the war and the end of the big band era produced a decline in the number of female jazz artists. Pianists and vocalists were still popular but the female jazz instrumentalists had a hard time finding jobs. It wasn't until the 1960s that all female jazz bands again opened the door for many aspiring female jazz artists. There were also several women band leaders for example Toshiko Akiyoshi and Carla Bley both led big bands. Marie Schneider has also become a very popular jazz orchestra leader.

Today women find it easier to pursue a successful career as a jazz instrumentalist but there are still a few all female jazz bands. One of these is Sherrie Maricle and The Diva Jazz Orchestra. The group was started by Stanley Kay after hearing Sherrie Maricle play drums in a band he conducted. They havesince become one of the best jazz bands in the world and have played numerous festivals and with other impressive artists at equally impressive venues. Rather than copy and past the list fo them all here, they are mentioned on the bands website which is sited below.

References:
http://www.allmusic.com/explore/essay/women-in-jazz-a-brief-early-history-t1801
http://www.samhillbands.com/bands/diva-jazz-orchestra/index.shtml

Critical Listening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94fcqEkPmSk&feature=related
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm-"Jump Children"
AAAB form
A short introduction followed by vocals ( I believe this is Anna Mae Winburn). She repeats 3 verses in the same style/rhythm before breaking into the B section. She then enters a call and response section where she repeats the question" Do You Want to Jump Children?" several times each time answered by children off camera. This is followed by a saxophone solo and then the whole band ends the piece. This is a full jazz band and every member is female.