Happy International Women's Day! March 8 is celebrated, worldwide, to focus on women's economic, political and social achievements. Of course, on The Jazz Spot, we will put the spotlight on the contributions of women to this amazing art form we love called JAZZ!

Women's roles in jazz have expanded throughout the 20th century and into the 21st! Women have moved from behind the microphone as simply, "the girl singer", to every instrument played by their male counterparts. Early instrumentalists like Lil Armstrong, Valaida Snow, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland and Melba Liston were true trailblazers, leaving a solid path for today's jazz women, who do it all! Today's ladies who lead are composers, arrangers and so much more!

Take a moment today and throughout Women's History Month 2013 to celebrate the women of jazz! I've given you a few suggestions, but I challenge you to expand your mind and learn about one amazing jazz woman this month! Please share your findings and be sure to tune in to The Jazz Spot tonight at 8 PM and every Friday this month as we put the spotlight on these sirens of song and swing!

Feel free to contact me at jazz@gpb.org, follow me on twitter @masanijazz or join the fun at The Jazz Spot on GPB Radio on Facebook.

For this week's playlist, click here.

Be inspired by Jazz music & culture EVERYDAY!!

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