African American women musicians

  • Whatever became of Hazel Scott / interviewed by Richard Lamparski.

    Richard Lamparski elicits stories from African American jazz and classical pianist and singer Hazel Scott (1920-1981), about Orson Wells, Josephine Baker, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Harry Cohn.

  • The Varied Voices of Black Women: an Olivia Records concert

    This is a recording of the final concert from the Olivia Records tour “The Varied Voices of Black Women,” which began in California and ended here at Medusa’s Revenge on November 7, 1978 at Medusa’s Revenge. The concert features musicians Gwen Avery, Mary Watkins, Linda Tillery and poet Pat Parker, accompanied by a band of…

  • Bernice Johnson Reagon: Black Women’s issues

    Speech by Bernice Johnson Reagon, given November 11, 1980 at Barnard College’s Reid Lectureship Women’s Issues Luncheon, titled “My Black Mothers and Sisters: On Beginning a Cultural Autobiography.” Tape begins with Reagon singing a poem by June Jordan. She speaks of Black women’s roles in her mother’s generation, the courageous actions of Fannie Lou Townsend…

  • Gwen Avery performing at KPFA

    Gospel and blues singer Gwen Avery (1943 – 2014) performs in KPFA’s Studio B on January 30, 1977. The songs are as follows: I’m a woman (Gwen Avery) — A change (Gwen Avery) — Just a closer walk (Spiritual) — Sunny (Bobby Hebb) — I will too (David Ahlers) — Missing you (David Ahlers) —…

  • Jazzwomen U.S.A.: October 23, 1981

    Self-contained episode from October 23, 1981. Conclusion of the previous episode’s focus on jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott (1920-1981). Hosted by Cobi Narita (founder, Jazz Center of New York).

  • Edwina Lee Tyler concert at Columbia University, 1979

    Edwina Lee Tyler, pioneer of African drumming by women, gives a concert on November 10, 1979 at Columbia University, McMillan Hall. Includes performance of “Aki Wawa”[sp?]. Notes on box: Concert produced by Sight & Sound Women[sp?] and recorded by Ceil Muller[sp?].

  • Wild women don’t get the blues (Part 2 only)

    Aircheck of program produced by Donna Allegra of music by Black women, acapella, jazz, blues, and funk. This is Part Two and contains songs by Abby Lincoln, Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “Joan Little”, Labelle, Linda Tillery, and the Pointer Sisters, and a live performance by Linda C. Powell with accompaniment by Eileen Kane. Part…

  • Sweet Honey in the Rock

    Program contains excerpts from a Sweet Honey in the Rock performance at P.S. 41 in March 1978 and an interview by Donna Allegra with Bernice Johnson Reagon, Pat (Johnson?), Evelyn Maria Harris and other members (not introduced) about the group and their music.

  • Timpanist Elayne Jones (Part 2 of 2) / produced by Charles Amirkhanian.

    Charles Amirkhanian interviews timpanist Elayne Jones. She discusses her career, the problems of Blacks in American symphonies, and the influence of Black African music on Western European music. Includes excerpts of performances. Selections of music in this recording include: Tchaikovsky “1812 Overture”- Morton Gould, RCA Symphony Orch. Douglas Moore “Ballad of Baby Doe” (Overture and…

  • Bessie Jones at freight and salvage (Part 2 of 2) / produced by Martha Oelman and Joan Medlin.

    (Tape label) Bessie Jones at Freight and Salvage. This program is completely self-contained. Born in 1902, Bessie Jones has spent most of her life in the Georgia Sea Islands. The music she presents is a combination of the songs and games of the Islands as well as those taught to her by her granfather who…