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Women have contributed to the diverse fields of Jazz and all of its genres. Women are often not as recognized within each of the different genres, whether it is composing, directing the ensemble or performing in the ensemble. Women have had a prominent role throughout the history of Jazz and in present day society.

History
With jazz music being a calumniation of many different genres of music, this has caused to evolve over time. Jazz first started out as work songs and field hollers. Population performing these pieces were primary slaves of the early years in the United States of America. Both men and women contributed to this style of music. Women have been involved with jazz since its creation, however they are not as well known for their contributions as men are for theirs. These genres quickly evolved into Ragtime, and Blues. While means for recording music or sound wasn't invented until the late 1890s with the acoustical recordings devices, which were a crude devices that performers would stand around a cone and perform into it while a needle attached to a diaphragm would carve into the blank record.

Women in Jazz
When thinking of jazz music, women are normally the singers of genre, however dating back to the early 1920s women instrumentalists can be found, with the piano being one of the earliest instruments used which allowed female artists a degree of social acceptance. Some well known artists of the time consists of Sweet Emma Barrett, Billie Pierce, Jeanette Kimball and Lovie Austin. These women have done a lot for the genre and can hold their own with some of the men musicians.

When the men got drafted for the war numerous all women big band jazz bands took over. However with the division of skin color, there was no real band that any one society listened to. The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the all women jazz band best known during these times. Despite the harsh dress code of women at the time of strapless dresses and high heeled shoes, women were being hired into many of the big league big bands such as Woody Herman's and Gerald Wilson.

After the war many musicians came back to reclaim their jobs because of that many women were removed from music scene, while some stayed to play music they went through harsh ridicule, and sexual harassment from their bandmates.

Women's Jazz Festival
Founded by Dr. Billy Taylor (1921-2010), late Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, created this festival dedicated to the composer and pianist Mary-Lou Williams for her extraordinary talent. The Marry-Lou Williams Jazz Festival has been around for sixteen years. This festival showcases many women of any age or race to display their jazz talent.