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Lady Be Good: Instrumental Women in Jazz

bunky's pickle
International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Girls in Jazz album, Victor HJ-11

Female instrumentalists of all types have been part of jazz since its inception, but for the most part, they have been erased from the history of the music. The film "Lady Be Good: Instrumental Women in Jazz" intends to put the spotlight on the many talented women who have nearly been forgotten.

Inspired by footage of legendary guitarist Mary Osborne, Seattle filmmaker Kay D. Ray started filming interviews for this documentary in 1997. Ray pursued grants for funding, and just this year had a successful Kickstarter campaign to help complete the project.

As with most of us, life issues and daily work interfered with Ray's labor of love. But she says this film is finally near completion.  She's just received a grant from the Seattle Arts Commission for the final touches.  In fact, tonight's showing of "Lady Be Good: Instrumental Women in Jazz" should be considered a "director's cut" that won't be available again.

Director Kay D. Ray will be attending and I'll be introducing the "Lady Be Good: Instrumental Women in Jazz" sneak preview at 8 p.m. tonight at Northwest Film Forum. The film is co-presented with the Earshot Jazz Festival and sponsored by KPLU.

Originally from Detroit, Robin Lloyd has been presenting jazz, blues and Latin jazz on public radio for nearly 40 years. She's a member of the Jazz Education Network and the Jazz Journalists Association.