Music 312 - Exam Prep (Concise)

Bessie Smith

·       1920s- pioneer of the blues genre

·       Drove blues into the center of the Roaring 20s

·       Dominated the Race Records 

·       Music was sexual while still expressing complexities + struggles 

·       She was able to portray the authenticity of people’s despair (African American immigrants) 

·       She challenged norms by portraying women as emotionally complex, sexual, and resilient, not just passive or romantic.

·       Influenced artists such as Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin 

·       Despite massive talent and success, she still faced racial segregation, gender discrimination, and limited artistic freedom.

Ella Fitzgerald

1917 - 1996

One of Dr. Leger’s Favourites

-       Part of the Jazz Era

-       Very different example of the black women experiences during this time

-       Compared to Billie Holiday (tragedy of the time) Ella sang and performed in a more melodious and joyful way

-       Smooth tone of voice

-       Voice was very different. She had a massive range and very virtuosic

-       Known for doing things with her voice no others could do

-       Discovered by Chick Webb who was also a very important figure at the time

-       Watched a video of her huge breakout song *A tiscuit a tasket)

-       Very much the first of her time: she could mimic the bebop instruments of the time and used scat singing

Important Because…

Ella Fitzgerald was important to the evolution of music as an early mover and shaker because she broke racial and gender barriers with her innovative vocal techniques, especially scat singing, and proved that a Black woman could achieve mainstream success based on pure musical talent.

Ivy Bensen

(The Ivy Benson Band)

-       British band leader who found a lot of success during the second world war

-       Men sent to war with women left behind: made room for women to take over bands

-       The BBC’s resident dance band (because of the time)

-       Created the IVY league to teach girls music in a time where the “weaker” sex was not expected to play instruments

-       Saw the gap in time as good for women in music

Important Because…

Ivy Benson was important to the evolution of music as an early mover and shaker because she led one of the first all-female swing bands in the UK, challenging gender norms in a male-dominated industry and creating space for women musicians during and after WWII.

Doris Day

-       Postwar pop - Marketing the Glamour of a housewife 

·       Fulfilling the stereotype role of a ‘blonde beauty’ 

·       Her smooth, wholesome voice and accessible lyrics made her a favorite among mainstream audiences during and after WWII.

·       She helped define the postwar ideal of white womanhood—loyal wife, loving mother, pure but desirable.

·       While her public image was “wholesome,” Doris Day was also a businesswoman who eventually took control of her own career.

·       She faced male control and financial exploitation—her husband mismanaged her money, leaving her millions in debt—but she fought back and recovered, symbolizing female resilience.