HUNTSVILLE – When you think about the great women in jazz, the rich, soulful croons of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan come to mind.
Lesser-known female jazz instrumentalists such as 1920s pianists Lil Hardin, Louis Armstrong’s wife; and Mary Lou Williams, who by the age of 12 was playing with jazz greats Duke Ellington and the Washingtonians, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman, also left their rift on the jazz circuit.
Melba Liston, the first trombonist to cross over from an all-women’s jazz band to the higher profile Big Bands of the 1940s, and flutist Bobbi Humphrey, known for her “fluid and virtuosic” flute improvisations that showcased “a true jazz funk groove” throughout the 1970s, remind us that every generation keeps the music alive by inspiring a new generation of jazz singers and instrumentalists.
After two years of pandemic lockdown, Huntsville will welcome that new generation this weekend during the ninth annual Alabama Women in Jazz Festival. The free event is Friday and Saturday at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center on Blue Spring Road.
Presented rain or shine by Patrice Bivins of Valley Arts and Entertainment Inc., the festival will introduce Alabama’s talented new generation of female jazz players.
This year’s featured guest performer is Alabama Music Awards winner flutist Sherry Reeves from Birmingham. She was recently included as one of the superb flute players dedicated to the “Women of Contemporary Jazz” on the Groovemaster Contemporary Jazz Radio. She has a new CD entitled, “Keep it Real”.
Reeves and violinist Lynnece Henry will accompany recording artists The Moore Twins to close the festival Saturday night.
Jazz pianist Nancy Pendegraph will kick off the festivities Friday with an evening of jazz and wine-tasting. Pendegraph, who is professionally trained and has taught piano for many years, plans to perform some straight-ahead jazz tunes. Her performance is made possible by a grant from South Arts.
On Saturday, the lineup includes Phebe Jones, inspirational musician and pianist who recently released her CD, “Better.”
Lynnece Henry, who has performed with the Riverview Symphony in New York, the Madison County Community Orchestra in Huntsville, and the Shoals Symphony Orchestra in Florence, is familiar to North Alabama jazz followers. She is originally from Miami, but has entertained the community with her fluency in classical, gospel and jazz.
The 10-piece Huntsville-based Flying on Instruments jazz band will also play Saturday.
“We play a variety of jazz styles that include standards, Latin, be-bop, and even jazz versions of pop tunes,” said a representative from the group. “From Glenn Miller swing to Sinatra ballads, Brazilian bossa nova to Cuban mambo, Flying on Instruments will get you moving.
A wide selection of food and drink vendors and food trucks will be on-hand.
The event is free to the public, but donations can also be made in support of the music programs at Valley Arts. Click here for more information.
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