Jazz Break at Noon - March 2025

In the pantheon of jazz, women have played a vital role, shaping the music's evolution as composers, arrangers, instrumentalists, and bandleaders. From pioneering figures like Lil Hardin Armstrong to contemporary masters like Geri Allen, women in jazz have carried on traditions and forged new paths.

This March on The Jazz Break at Noon, we're celebrating Women's History Month. Join us as we delve into the music of a diverse group of creative voices, including pianist Kris Davis; drummer Terri Lyne Carrington; harpist Alice Coltrane; pianist, composer, and bandleader Lil Hardin Armstrong; and many more. We'll also explore the contributions of other jazz luminaries including Mary Lou Williams, Carla Bley, Marilyn Crispell, Nicole Mitchell, Renee Rosnes, Linda Oh, Dorothy Ashby, Brandee Younger, Nubya Garcia, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Maria Schneider, and Esperanza Spalding, showcasing the diverse and dynamic voices of women in jazz.

Join us for a month-long celebration of creativity, innovation, and the enduring legacy of women in jazz!

March 3 - 7

Women in Jazz: Volume 1 - Breaking Boundaries
Hosted by JJ Lopez
This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we launch our Women's History Month celebration with "Women in Jazz: Volume 1 - Breaking Boundaries." Inspired by pianist Kris Davis's 2024 release, Run the Gauntlet, we'll explore the music of women who have pushed the boundaries of jazz composition and improvisation.

From the intricate harmonies of Renee Rosnes and Geri Allen to the avant-garde explorations of Marilyn Crispell and Carla Bley, we'll hear how these artists have carved their paths and expanded the possibilities of jazz expression. We'll also feature the captivating sounds of Melissa Aldana, Nicole Mitchell, Patricia Brennan, and the all-female ensemble Artemis, showcasing women's diverse and dynamic voices in contemporary jazz.

March 10 - 14

Women in Jazz: Volume 2 - The New Standard
Hosted by Bria Woods
This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we are exploring drummer and Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards Vol. 1. In her role as the Founder and Artistic Director of The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Studies Carrington responded to the underrepresentation of women in ‘the real book’ by curating 101 compositions by women.

We will hear a spectrum of sounds, from historic to modern, blues to bebop, and beyond. We will feature the notable and unsung recordings from some of the women in the New Standard including Mary Lou Williams, Alice Coltrane, esperanza spalding, Geri Allen, Maria Schneider, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Dorothy Ashby, Nubya Garcia, and many others.

Join us for five days of music penned by women across time and geography.

March 17 - 21 

Alice Coltrane
This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we embark on a spiritual and musical journey with the transcendent sounds of Alice Coltrane. A visionary composer, pianist, and harpist, Coltrane's music is a profound expression of her deep spiritual exploration and unwavering devotion to divine love.

From her early work as a bebop pianist to her later, more expansive explorations of Eastern mysticism and devotional music, Alice Coltrane created a unique and deeply personal sound that blended jazz, classical, and Indian influences. For this installment of Women In Jazz series, we'll explore her groundbreaking albums Journey in Satchidananda, Universal Consciousness, World Galaxy, and selections from her final studio recording, Translinear Light (2004).

Our journey into the world of Jazz Harp will include selections from pioneering harpist Dorothy Ashby and contemporary innovator, Brandee Younger.

Join us this week as we celebrate the extraordinary musical and spiritual legacy of Alice Coltrane, a true pioneer who used her art and music to illuminate the path to inner peace and divine connection.

March 24 - 28

Women in Jazz: Volume 4 - Lil Hardin Armstrong
Hosted by JJ Lopez

This week on The Jazz Break at Noon, we conclude our Women's History Month celebration with a tribute to the extraordinary Lil Hardin Armstrong. A pioneering pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader, Armstrong played a pivotal role in the early development of jazz, contributing to some of the most historic recordings of the 1920s and 30s with Joe "King" Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Her compositions, including the enduring jazz standards "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" and "Just For a Thrill," further solidify her legacy as a vital force in early jazz.

Born February 3, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee, Lil Hardin Armstrong is described as a vivacious jazz performer. From leading her own swing orchestra in the late 1930s to her later work with smaller combos in the 1960s, Armstrong's dynamic performances left an indelible mark on the jazz world. This week we'll delve into her historic recordings and celebrate her enduring legacy. Join us as we remember Lil Hardin Armstrong and her invaluable contributions to the world of jazz.