Given that the cover of Jazzwise 300 carried the strapline ‘Women In Jazz Now’, this lively compendium by Upbeat compiler John Petters could not have come at a better time. Note the title, The First Ladies of….

Effectively the precursors of today’s players. Of Petters’ chosen artists, seven were pianists, three vocalists, two of whom played guitar, five more were instrumentalists, ranging from harp (the very swingy Girard) to trumpet (the gutsy Rogers with Herman, and Snow). So, quite a variety but also a signifier of the kind of limited opportunities open to female artists of the day. Happily, for us, they seized them well.

Admittedly the highly-trained Lil Hardin was confined to holding the rhythm section in place for the supremely gifted Louis Armstrong, on the opening pair of 1920s tracks. Austin, also thoroughly grounded, knew how to keep the beat going but Mary Lou was truly something else altogether; a free-thinker with an eye on the future. Vibist Hyams did well, first with the Herman Herd, and then as a founder member of George Shearing’s ground-breaking quintet.

Scott, yet another accomplished pianist, crossed over into mainstream America, married a congressman, and appeared in movies. Trumpeter/vocalist Snow we’ve written about before – a success in Europe, the Nazis imprisoned her and she was never quite the same again, but she could certainly play. No such misfortunes befell Carlisle, Brown or the marvellous Lutcher. Need a pick-me-up? Just try Cleo Brown’s swinging ‘Lookie, Lookie, Lookie, Here Comes Cookie’ and life will feel good. Decent transfers, another informative Petters note, and another plus for Upbeat’s Great Jazz series.