The First Ladies of Jazz

By SheSpeaksTeam Apr 02, 2014

393

April is Jazz Appreciation Month – and on any list of influential women who've changed the world – right up there with Indira Gandhi and Gloria Steinem you’re likely to find Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Each had a voice that you never forget.

With its roots in the blues, Jazz has been referred to as America's true classical art form. Although its famous instrumentalists have been male, women have been at the forefront of the genre when it comes to vocalists who expressed an incredible depth of emotion that spoke of despair, love and triumph in voices that oozed poignancy in every note.

Join us in honoring their contributions to American culture and enter our our First Ladies of Jazz Giveaway to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, comment below and tell us your favorite Jazz artist or song. Maybe it's one of these masterpieces from Ella, Sarah, or Billie!

Billie Holiday	Sarah Vaughan	Ella Fitzgerald

God Bless The Child	Misty	It Don't Mean A Thing


I'm A Fool To Want You	Over The Rainbow	Summertime

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*This giveaway is open through April15th to US residents over 18 years of age

4/21/2014 Congratulations to our lucky winner, GrlyGrl7!

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Comments

by greaseballs80 | DALY CITY, CA

Apr 02, 2014

Ella Fitzgerald

by mich61 | CATHEDRAL CTY, CA

Apr 02, 2014

I love it don't mean a thing. What a voice!

by richakaul | SANTA CLARA, CA

Apr 02, 2014

Billie Holiday!!! Magical! :)

by Henrietta | ALBION, PA

Apr 02, 2014

I've always loved Etta James, though there are so many greats,it's hard to choose just one favorite!

by champ76 | BAY CITY, MI

Apr 02, 2014

I'm A Fool To Want You by Billie Holiday

by steelermom | IRWIN, PA

Apr 02, 2014

My favorite all time would have to be Billie Holiday, of the current singers Norah Jones is tops.

by elph71 | TALLAHASSEE, FL

Apr 02, 2014

I don't think you ever forget the first time you hear an Ella Fitzgerald record. She is a song interpreter par excellence.

by mrsquick06 | Niceville, FL

Apr 02, 2014

Such a tough call....Since we've been asked to select one, I will say Ella Fitzgerald because her version of "It Don't Mean A Thing" captured the attention of my most challenging group of my middle school students (all boys with severe emotional disabilities). After introducing the class to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, etc., they would ask to listen to jazz as a reward -- even long after we'd moved onto another unit of study.

by camillawilson | CRANDALL, GA

Apr 02, 2014

Billie Holiday for her music and over coming racial obstacles.

by Autumnkat | CLARION, PA

Apr 02, 2014

My favorite female jazz artist is Pittsburgh's Maureen Budway. She's amazing!

by storm1 | YORBA LINDA, CA

Apr 02, 2014

I really like almost anything by Nat King Cole but the Over the Rainbow is a great one!

by mcasella | REVERE, MA

Apr 02, 2014

Bilie, Billie, Billie!