Unlike women who play other instruments, female jazz piano players, past and present, abound. Here is a list of some well-known historic female jazz pianists and a list of contemporary players, a sampling of the many female jazz pianists currently in today's jazz scene.
Historic jazz pianists
"Sweet" Emma Barrett (1898 - 1982)
Dolly Douroux Adams (1904 - 1981)
Billie Pierce (1907 - 1974)
Jeanette Kimball (1908 - ??)
The women listed at left were based in New Orleans. Researchers may access their files at the Hogan Jazz Archives, located at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Lovie Austin (1887 - 1972)
Nellie Lutcher (1912 - 2007)
Hazel Scott (1920 - 1981)
Beryl Booker (1924 - 1980)
Dorothy Donegan (1922 - 1998)
Marie Marcus (no dates available)
Perhaps the best known and respected jazz pianist of the 20th Century was pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams (1910 - 1981)
There are, of course, others. Appologies for any I've overlooked.
Many are featured in books about jazzwomen and articles at other Internet sites.
A partial list (in no particular order) of Contemporary female jazz pianists
Use the search box below right to find their recordings.
