The Girls in the Band

Female Jazz Musicians

The award-winning documentary film THE GIRLS IN THE BAND tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their fascinating, history-making journeys from the late 30s to the present day. The many first-hand accounts of the challenges faced by these talented women provide a glimpse into decades of racism and sexism that have existed in America.

They wiggled, they jiggled, they wore low cut gowns and short shorts, they kowtowed to the club owners and smiled at the customers...and they did it all just to play the music they loved. In the thirties and forties, hundreds of women musicians toured the country in glamorous All-Girl Bands, while others played side by side with their male counterparts. Yet, by the mid-fifties, female jazz musicians had literally disappeared from the workplace, their names and their contributions to music completely forgotten. Today, there is a new breed of gifted young women taking their rightful place in the world of jazz, which can no longer deny their talents.

The film has been of great interest to the general public and has garnered multiple awards and terrific reviews (including a Critics' Pick from The New York Times). Because these incredibly talented women overcame sexism and racism and flourished in the midst of diminished opportunities for decades, THE GIRLS IN THE BAND is the perfect film to highlight Women's History Month, African American History Month, and Jazz Appreciation Month!

"THE GIRLS IN THE BAND is a film that we all can learn from. It's an invaluable resource for music teachers; however, its reach is much broader. It can be used to open up discussions about racism, sexism, and several other related topics. Above all it is a story about courage, stamina, and the capacity of people to realize their talents and dreams."-- Judith Gold, Bank Street College of Education