Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This book from Jazz Times award winner Sammy Stein with editor Debbie Burke looks at gender issues in the UK jazz scene, as well as touching on those elsewhere in the World. Peeling back the layers of the UK scene in discussions with musicians, venues and educators and using extensive research carried out by Sammy and that of eminent researchers in jazz music who shared their finding with her, the book looks at the reality, the potential for change and the ways ahead. This book is a trans-Atlantic collaboration between a much read writer and a popular editor. The facts revealed are startling, unexpected in some cases and allow the reader, through stories, well structured narrative and hard facts, to make their own mind up about what progress has been made regarding gender equality. Debbie Burke brings to the book her editorial experience and knowledge of the US jazz scene whilst Sammy, well known for her books and interviews, brings her knowledge of the world scene and an understanding of the UK scene, which she is very much a part of. Observations from festivals, venue managers and musicians reveal the stark reality, in spite of initiatives put in place to tackle gender disparity. Sammy proves qualitatively and quantitatively that, whilst academics like to believe things have changed, the reality is different. Festivals, venues and managers who have provided initiatives to deal with gender issues tell of the positive rewards they reap in terms of audiences, diversity and enrichment and musicians tell of their consternation that when they look around, there are still so few females. The book is a narrative of the UK jazz scene, told not so much form the author's perspective but from that of the people involved, those active in the scene and those teaching future generations of musicians. The book includes initiatives in the UK and elsewhere which are active in seeking to create a more level playing field for men and women, and the effectiveness of those initiatives. Interestingly, it also includes discussions with men and those form the LGBTQ communities. Overall, the book reveals, using engaging narrative and proven data, the historical development of women in UK jazz, the current situation in the UK jazz scene, the reality from musicians' viewpoints as well as the desire for change and how this is happening.It is a book which brings powerful people on the jazz scene together, with Sammy the conduit for an honest look at the UK jazz scene which is intriguing, informative and told in an easy manner. The reader is taken back to the history of jazz, through the development of jazz in the UK and women's place in the scene, on to the current situation. It looks at education, instrument choice, parental influences, factors which relate specifically to women and much more. The sources for facts are many, the amount of information is vast, yet here it is distilled into a readable book, which leaves the reader more familiar with women in the UK scene, more aware of changes which are happening and an increased understanding of the reasons behind many initiatives. Captivating, informative and a mine of information this book is the result of a lot of research, discussions and interviews and the result is a true revelation.
Synopsis
Gender - the unspoken issue in UK jazz music. Here, Sammy Stein, along with stellar musicians, discusses the issues and implications. This book from Jazz Times Distaff award winner and Gearhead listed Sammy Stein looks at gender issues in the UK jazz scene, as well as touching on those elsewhere in the World. Peeling back the layers of the UK scene in discussions with musicians, venues and educators and using extensive research carried out by Sammy and that of the most eminent researchers in jazz music who shared their findings with her, the book looks at the reality, the potential for change and the ways ahead.
The facts revealed are startling, unexpected in some cases and allow the reader, through stories, well-structured narrative and hard facts, to make their own mind up about what progress has been made regarding gender equality. Sammy, well known for her books and interviews, brings her knowledge of the world scene and an understanding of the UK scene, which she is very much a part of. Observations from festivals, venue managers and musicians reveal the stark reality, in spite of initiatives put in place to tackle gender disparity. Sammy proves qualitatively and quantitatively that, whilst some academics like to believe things have changed, the reality is different. Festivals, venues and managers who have provided initiatives to deal with gender issues tell of the positive rewards they reap in terms of audiences, diversity and enrichment and musicians tell of their consternation that when they look around, there are still so few females. The book is a narrative of the UK jazz scene, told not so much from the author's perspective but from that of the people involved, those active in the scene and those teaching future generations of musicians. The book includes initiatives in the UK and elsewhere that actively seek to create a more level playing field for men and women, and the effectiveness of those initiatives. Interestingly, it also includes discussions with men and those from the LGBTQ communities. Overall, the book reveals, using engaging narrative and proven data, the historical development of women in UK jazz, the current situation in the UK jazz scene, the reality from musicians' viewpoints as well as the desire for change and how this is happening. It is a book that brings powerful people on the jazz scene together, with Sammy the conduit for an honest look at the UK jazz scene. It is informative and told in an easy manner. The reader is taken back to the history of jazz, through the development of jazz in the UK and women's place in the scene, on to the current situation. It looks at education, instrument choice, parental influences, factors that relate specifically to women and much more. The sources for facts are many, the amount of information is vast, yet here it is distilled into a readable book, which leaves the reader more familiar with women in the UK scene, more aware of changes which are happening and an increased understanding of the reasons behind many initiatives. Captivating, informative and a mine of information this book is the result of a lot of research, discussions and interviews and the result is a true revelation.
Synopsis
Best-selling author, Sammy stein asks the questions we are afraid to ask. Is the Uk jazz scene misogynistic? Unafraid to ask the questions we all need answering, well-known author Sammy Stein investigates gender disparity in jazz today. With input from musicians across the world, Sammy gives them a voice, asks difficult questions, and investigates numerous studies into gender issues in jazz music. Sammy is a Jazz Times Distaff award winner and Gearhead listed author as well as Phace magazine book of The Year winner and Jazz Journalist Association International Editor.
This book has been placed on the curriculums of colleges and cited as a resource in the Parliamentary Committees' study into gender issues in UK jazz.
Musicians reveal stories of discrimination and also the progress the jazz industry is making. From the agent who introduces himself by placing his business card in a female musician's cleavage, to the #metoo and huge initiatives which are in place to put right the gender disparity which has existed ever since jazz became popular. Sammy peels back the layers of the UK scene to reveal the stark truth and her extensive research, together with research offered by prominent educators in the field, reveals a scene still flawed but changing.
Sammy, well known for her books and interviews, brings her knowledge of the world scene and an understanding of the UK scene, which she is very much a part of. Observations from festivals, venue managers, and musicians reveal the stark reality, in spite of initiatives put in place to tackle gender disparity. Sammy proves qualitatively and quantitatively that, whilst some academics like to believe things have changed, the reality is different.
This book is a narrative of the UK jazz scene, told not so much from the author's perspective but from that of the people active in the scene and those teaching future generations of musicians.
Overall, the book reveals, using engaging narrative and proven data, the historical development of women in UK jazz, the current situation in the UK jazz scene, the reality from musicians' viewpoints as well as the desire for change and how this is happening. It is a book that brings powerful people on the jazz scene together, with Sammy the conduit. It is informative and the situation is revealed in an easy manner.
The book looks at education, instrument choice, parental influences, factors that relate specifically to women, and much more. The sources for facts are many, the amount of information is vast, yet here it is distilled into a readable book, which leaves the reader more familiar with women in the UK scene, more aware of changes which are happening, and an increased understanding of the reasons behind many initiatives. Captivating, informative, and a mine of information this book is the result of a lot of research, discussions, and interviews and the result is a true revelation.
Synopsis
Is the UK jazz scene misogynistic? Unafraid to ask the questions we all need answering, well-known author Sammy Stein investigates gender disparity in jazz today. Sammy gives a voice to musicians across the world, and investigates numerous studies into gender issues in jazz music. Sammy writes for Reader's Digest, All About Jazz, WeJazz, Platinum Mind, and other publications. She is a Jazz Times Distaff award winner and Gearhead listed author as well as Phace magazine book of The Year winner and was Jazz Journalist Association International Editor.
This book has been placed on the curriculums of colleges and cited as a resource in the Parliamentary Committees' study into gender issues in UK jazz.
Musicians reveal stories of discrimination and also the progress the jazz industry is making. From the agent who introduces himself by placing his business card in a female musician's cleavage, to the #metoo and huge initiatives that are in place to put right the gender disparity that has existed ever since jazz became popular. Sammy peels back the layers of the UK scene to reveal the stark truth and her extensive research, together with research offered by prominent educators in the field, reveals a scene still flawed but changing.
Observations from festivals, venue managers, and musicians reveal the stark reality, despite initiatives put in place to tackle gender disparity. Sammy proves qualitatively and quantitatively that, whilst some academics like to believe things have changed, the reality is different. There is social comment, and musicians from many sub genres including big band, solo artist, vocal jazz, free jazz, with varying musical backgrounds, all have opinions and are given rein to speak freely.
This book is a narrative of the UK jazz scene, told by the musicians active in the scene and those teaching future generations of musicians.
Overall, the book reveals, using engaging narrative and proven data, the historical development of women in UK jazz, the current situation in the UK jazz scene, the reality from musicians' viewpoints as well as the desire for change and how this is happening. It is a book that brings powerful people on the jazz scene together, with Sammy the conduit. It is informative and the situation is revealed.
The book looks at education, instrument choice, parental influences, factors that relate specifically to women, and much more. The sources for facts are many, the amount of information is vast, yet here it is distilled into a readable book, which leaves the reader more familiar with women in the UK scene, more aware of changes which are happening, and an increased understanding of the reasons behind many initiatives. Captivating, informative, and a mine of information this book is the result of a lot of research, discussions, and interviews and the result is a true revelation.