The Girls in the Band
The Girls in the Band

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- 78/100 based on 176 votes

In the world of jazz, women have long been marginalized as singers or piano players. Little has ever been documented about the enormously talented female trumpet players, saxophonist and drummers who struggled for recognition but were cut off from any meaningful employment by men who didn't want women on their bandstands. This film traces the history of the all-girl bands and the struggles of the handful who broke through the male bastions, and brings us into the present day,... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in The Girls in the Band:

Clora Bryant
Geri Allen
Herbie Hancock
Patrice Rushen
Esperanza Spalding
Peter O'Brien

Full Plot Details

In the world of jazz, women have long been marginalized as singers or piano players. Little has ever been documented about the enormously talented female trumpet players, saxophonist and drummers who struggled for recognition but were cut off from any meaningful employment by men who didn't want women on their bandstands. This film traces the history of the all-girl bands and the struggles of the handful who broke through the male bastions, and brings us into the present day, where brilliantly gifted young women are going toe-to-toe with the finest jazz musicians of their day.

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Movie Reviews

NYC Movie Guru - 10/10 by Avi OfferAmong those rare, delightful music documentaries, in the vein of Standing in the Shadows of Motown, that provokes you emotionally and intellectually while remaining entertaining throughout.
Chicago Reader - 8/10 by J. R. JonesThe documentary is rescued only by a final sequence in which Chaikin restages the famous 1958 group photo A Great Day in Harlem, this time with mostly women.
Seattle Times - 8/10 by Paul de BarrosThe major strength of "The Girls in the Band" is its abundant, crisp footage of women playing at the highest level, from pianist Lil Armstrong (Louis' wife) to contemporary reed player Anat Cohen.
San Francisco Chronicle - 8/10 by Mick LaSalleThe movie meanders a bit in the beginning, though the information comes across. Then it gets into a chronological groove after about 30 minutes and finds its proper form.
San Jose Mercury News - 8/10 by Jim Harrington"The Girls in the Band" is a story of perseverance and passion - and is recommended viewing for basically every music fan.
User Review - 10/10 by Lori CI saw this at the Cleveland International Film Fest 2012 and had to buy the DVD from Judy Chaikin who was there to answer questions after the screening. Informative and fun doc filled with lots of big band/jazz music. Chaikin begins the movie with a famous group portrait of all the big name jazz musicians living in the '50s. Only three women are included and two are identified. This music doc uncovers the fact that there were many more women who were jazz musicians, but so many have been forgotten. It was okay for women to be vocalists or pianists, but women faced many obstacles if they wanted a career playing brass, sax, drums, or other instruments. This doc looks at sexism and racism. It examines nearly a whole century in the history of female jazz musicians with graphics that suggest an old photo album. In the 20s through the 40s The International Sweethearts of Rhythm are given special focus. In the post-WWII years, things reverted to rampant sexism. A few women who achieved some success as jazz soloists and arrangers are highlighted. Then following the feminist movement, beginning in the mid-70s, the Kansas City Women's Jazz Festival and a new generation of women jazz musicians are celebrated. In the end, the photo from Harlem '58 is recreated in front of the same brownstone with a few survivors and dozens of girls from jazz bands. This movie has whetted my interest in jazz!
User Review - 2/10 by Barry CTerrible. It covered what seemed like an endless list of female players with each just getting 2 or 3 minutes with very short snippets of their music. Would have been much better if the cover 1/3 as many people with 3 times more time for each.

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