The Girls in the Band (2011)

The Girls in the Band: Directed by Judy Chaikin. With Geri Allen, Jessie Bailey, Jane Ira Bloom, Clora Bryant. The untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their journeys from the late 1930’s to the present day.

“An all too brief review of the history of women in Jazz, from the begginnings of the 1900s through modern day female musicians. These women had to face discrimination and diminished expectations from multiple fronts–particularly if they were African American, but nothing could keep them from doing what they loved–and many of the women were–and are, as good as or even better than the stars of thier day. Even though they often did not receive the credit they were due–privately, let alone publicly–for thier playing, their writing and arrangements, nothing could stop them. amd thier joy at making music still shines through.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFilled with interviews, timely photos and film clips, this movie is a wonderful trip through time, and a reminder that while weu0026#39;ve come a u0026quot;Long way babyu0026quot;, a womanu0026#39;s journey towards full acceptance as an equal member of the human race is far from over. Overall well done. Would have enjoyed more time with the music, and more film clips of the performances, but Iu0026#39;ve few complaints. The pace was good, the hsitory memorable, and the women are just plain incredible. Recommended!”