Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to the many moms of jazz
In honor of Mother’s Day, it seems only fitting to acknowledge some of the many women who gave birth and daily guidance to the next generation of jazz musicians — some who are now parents themselves.
While we’re at it, why not give some thanks to those women who themselves are accomplished musicians and have managed to balance their jazz careers with parenting non-musicians? Let’s just start by saying there is no shortage of exceptional examples — this is not meant to be a comprehensive list.
If talking about musician children born into families led by musician parents, a great place to start would be with vocalist Catherine Russell. The term “jazz royalty” is sometimes bandied about — however Russell is certainly that. Her Panamanian father, Luis Russell, served as Louis Armstrong’s musical director as well as leading his own bands; bassist, guitarist, vocalist and Russell’s mother, Carline Ray was an incredibly noteworthy musician too.
Ray earned degrees from both Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music. She also was a member of The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, itself filled with a cast of musician moms and serving as the United States’ first integrated all-women’s band.
Jazz royalty is again the appropriate word when discussing saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Though he was a toddler when his iconic father John Coltrane died, one can only imagine how intimidating it might have been when, growing up, the younger Coltrane took up the same instruments as his father. Then again, if your mother is Alice Coltrane — someone who possessed a measurable quantity of musical creativity and talent herself — then perhaps it becomes easier to create your own saxophone voice, which Ravi Coltrane certainly has done.
I have always loved pianist-organist-composer-arranger Carla Bley, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master; Bley’s creativity, originality and spirit stand high within jazz circles. Her daughter, Karen Mantler, a talented musician in her own right, who plays harmonica, sings and composes, has a lengthy discography, including contributing to her mother’s and father Michael Mantler’s respective recorded histories.
We certainly should include both vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, an NEA Jazz Master, Grammy and Tony winner, and daughter, jazz vocalist China Moses. Similarly, there is the one and only Nina Simone, a singer, civil rights activist and tremendously influential artist, who gave birth to Broadway singer and actress Lisa Celeste Stroud, more commonly known simply as Simone.
Although trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr., similar to Ravi Coltrane, chose to follow in his late father’s footsteps by using the same instrument to express himself, one can only wonder how much and in what ways his late mother, the exceptional jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Geri Allen, impacted his life on and off the bandstand.
Of course, in present-day jazz circles, there are plenty of mothers who pursue and successfully balance their jazz careers and family.
Late last week, much to my surprise, I came across Toronto-based vocalist, composer, journalist, broadcaster and educator Nicky Schrire’s weekly London Jazz News “Mothers In Jazz” column. She proposed and, after her editor accepted the idea, launched the series last August. So far, there are 40-plus entries.
Schrire, reached by email, says, “The wish list is endless! The series is really open to all — the more the merrier.”
Columns begin with a short artist bio, followed by a handful of questions and answers centered not on what’s someone’s next project is, but rather how mother-musicians pursue balance — and what it means to be both a parent and a successful touring jazz musician.
Schrire, herself a parent, says her interest in the topic is born from a previous podcast: “I hosted and produced ‘The Jazz Session’ podcast for the [2021-2022] season and organized a special episode for Mother's Day featuring an international roundtable-style conversation with jazz musician mothers.”
The gathering included Malaysian-born bassist Linda May Han Oh, who was raised in Western Australia; Portuguese singer-composer Sara Serpa; Montreal-based saxophonist Christine Jensen; and Japanese-born violinist Tomoko Omura.
“During the conversation it became clear that the topic of ‘mothers in jazz’ wasn't being discussed frequently,” said Schrire, adding the musicians “expressed a desire for such an ongoing forum [that would] create an online database that provides insight, support and even pure logistical information for parents in the jazz community, those contemplating parenthood and those who hire musician parents.”
The range of guests cross not only geographic lines, but generations. Among those interviewed are a pair of vocalists, 94-year-old Sheila Jordan and 59-year-old Tierney Sutton. On the horizon, among others, is saxophonist Roxy Coss, who’s in her mid-30s.
“I marvel at how generous these mothers have been with their wisdom and thoughts," the host said.
Ain’t that the truth! Happy Mother’s Day!
Jon W. Poses is executive director of the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. Reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to the many moms of jazz
