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Beryl Booker
Born:
Raised in the mecca of African-American artistic expression in Philadelphia in the 1920's, Beryl Booker was a pianist prodigy who never learned to read music. After landing her first professional gig with Slam Stewart's trio in 1945, she recorded half-a-dozen excellent albums under her own moniker, many of which she performs lead vocalist duties in addition to pianist. As one of only a handful of female players at the time, Beryl was accustomed to having to prove herself in the jazz world of the forties and fifties. Sadly, jazz history has largely overlooked many illustrious contributions of female instrumentalist's. Beryl played with an elite list of world renown jazz figures including, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Don Byas, and Slam Stewart
2022: The Year in Jazz
by Ken Franckling
Current events impacted the jazz world in significant ways throughout 2022. In its third year, the coronavirus pandemic continued to lurk in some settings, while others recovered in robust fashion. Russia's war on Ukraine was felt by musicians and triggered an outpouring of support for its victims. Initiatives to ensure greater equity in jazz advanced. The ...
The Outstanding Contributions of Beryl Booker
by Ava Louise
Beryl Booker was a highly respected and successful jazz musician, and she was outstanding in many progressive ways throughout her short career. Born in Philadelphia in 1922, Beryl was a largely self-taught musician and vocalist. She created a distinctive style of swing piano which was very bold and confident. Listening to her performances, one ...
Beryl Booker: 1946-54
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, there were more women in jazz than is customarily known or documented. We tend to think of jazz as men's music, with a smattering of women functioning primarily as novelty acts. Men also thought that way back then, making life doubly difficult for female artists. The view was perhaps ...
Sophisticated Ladies: A True Story
by Hrayr Attarian
Bordeaux-based Sophisticated Ladies joins an illustrious tradition of female jazz group that stretches back several decades to include International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Beryl Booker's Diva trio and its offshoot, Five Play, as well as Japan's Groovin' Girls trio. Elegant and understated interpretations of standards and chansons, often with Latin hints, make up the ...