Record Labels Which Promoted Women Instrumentalists

[Ken Dryden]

Since this topic was suggested in the Women and Mosaic thread, I thought it might help to start a discussion.

While there seem to be many more women instrumentalists releasing CDs today, what are some of the labels that you think have done a good job?

Concord Jazz, in the Carl E. Jefferson era, recorded Marian McPartland, Joanne Brackeen, Emily Remler, plus single albums by Mary Fettig and Lisa Pollard.

Pablo recorded several albums by Mary Lou Williams.

Positone has recorded a number of women. I am not in my music library or at the computer or I would have added names.

Blue Note recorded a number of releases by Renee Rosnes and just issued the second CD by the all female band Artemis.

Venus Jazz has issued three CDs by pianist Champian Fulton and one by Sharel Cassity.

Jazz Focus released a number of pianist Jessica Williams CDs.

Verve issued several CDs by violinist Regina Carter.

I don’t think the typical small label owner is giving much thought to women instrumentalists who deserve greater exposure but following personal taste and trying to figure out which artist will sell enough copies to make it worth the investment. 
 
Maybe Chuck Nessa could add his perspective.

[Dmitry]

There are hundreds of labels releasing women instrumentalists recordings, and have been for many decades, ever since the invention of phonograph recordings as a commercial medium. They focus on classical music.

[clifford_thornton]

Intakt for sure, from the very beginning.

[Ken Dryden]

10 minutes ago, Dmitry said:

There are hundreds of labels releasing women instrumentalists recordings, and have been for many decades, ever since the invention of phonograph recordings as a commercial medium. They focus on classical music.

I am aware of that, since I have a number of them. I grew listening to harpsichordist Wanda Landowska and have my father’s old LPs.

Pardon me for not including jazz in the title of the thread…

[Teasing the Korean]

In the early 1960s, GNP Crescendo released two albums by composer, violinist, and multi-instrumentalist Elisabeth Waldo.  

Ms. Waldo is still alive, and if she makes it to June 15, she will turn 105!

[Dmitry]

9 minutes ago, Ken Dryden said:

I am aware of that, since I have a number of them. I grew listening to harpsichordist Wanda Landowska and have my father’s old LPs.

Pardon me for not including jazz in the title of the thread…

Sorry, not trying to be a gotcha dick; I thought you were asking about instrumental music in general.

Focusing on jazz, I would definitely add Leo Records. Their female instrumentalist releases are numerous.  In fact, the label's first release was a record by Amina Claudine Myers. One of their other early releases was by Marilyn Crispell.

 

 

[JSngry]

Jane Bunnet, but over more than one label... 

[Ken Dryden]

Jane Bunnet recorded a lot for Blue Note.

I had forgotten that flautist Ali Ryerson did a couple of CDs for both Concord Jazz and Red Baron.

Holly Hofmann has been a regular leader on Capri.

[JSngry]

I totally missed Bunnet on Blue Note. Glad to hear about them! 

[Joe]

Jane Ira Bloom was on Columbia for a hot minute there in the late 80s. She also recorded for Enja, JMT / Winter & Winter, and Arabesque. I believe Outline is her own label.

Myra Melford: Hat, Arabesque, Palmetto, Firehouse12, others.

In fact, Firehouse12 has featured quite a few women musicians: Melford, Mary Halvorsen, Ingrid Laubrock, Nicole Mitchell.

Annette Peacock, Marilyn Crispell, and Sylvie Courvoisier have all recorded leader dates for ECM.

 

[Ken Dryden]

Some of the Columbia Bloom CDs were reissued by Koch when they were doing jazz.

 

[JSngry]

There were only two, right? 

[Joe]

15 minutes ago, JSngry said:

There were only two, right? 

I believe that's correct. And, yes, I think Koch reissued them both.

Let's also not Forget Cindy Blackman's run of records on Muse and High Note.

[Ken Dryden]

Shirley Scott did quite a few records as a leader for Prestige and Impulse!, while she made some piano recordings for Candid late in life.

[Big Beat Steve]

Rhoda Scott had an extensive run on Barclay on the 70s and 80s (similar to Shirley Scott - no relation - on Prestige in earlier years).