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Phenomenal Women in Music

By Espie Estrella, About.com

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Photo of Peggy Lee taken during the 1950's

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  • Peggy Lee - A jazz-oriented singer and songwriter who became especially popular in the 1950s. Although she is mainly associated to jazz music, Peggy Lee was open to other music genres including pop. Her sultry, purring voice has made numerous hits like the song "Fever" and her acting ability landed her on several films.

  • Florence Beatrice Price - One of the African-American women who made a lasting mark in music and paved the way for women composers. Her story is one of personal struggles, and ultimately, of success and recognition.

  • Ma Rainey - Deemed the "Mother of the Blues", is considered the first great blues singer. She made over 100 recordings under the Paramount label, was a captivating performer and an astute businesswoman as well.

  • Alma Schindler - She was an Austrian composer, author and the wife of composer Gustav Mahler.They stayed together for 9 years until Mahler's death in 1911.

  • Clara Wieck Schumann - Known as the premier female composer of the Romantic period. Her compositions for the piano and her interpretation of works by other great composers are much appreciated to this day.

  • Beverly Sills - She left her mark not only in history but also in the hearts of the many people she touched. Whether it be through her singing or her many charitable causes, Beverly was someone who lived her life passionately.

  • Carly Simon - She has a very unique and beautiful voice, it's the kind of voice that makes you want to stop and listen. Her songs can be described as reflective, evidently inspired by her experiences and the people in her life. Her passion for music can be seen in her body of work and her many achievements.

  • Bessie Smith - When we think of powerful and expressive voices of the blues, Bessie Smith's name easily comes to mind. Listen to her many songs and you'll surely feel the emotion behind her singing, which is why she earned the title "Empress of the Blues".

  • Germaine Tailleferre - One of the foremost French composers of the 20th century and the only female member of Les Six; a title given by the critic Henri Collet to a group of young composers during the 1920s.

  • Vanessa Mae - Vanessa Mae wowed the world with her electrifying performance on the violin. Noted as a crossover violinist, she effectively fused classical music with pop.

  • Sarah Vaughan - Nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One", Sarah Vaughan was one of the greatest jazz vocalists in history whose career spanned almost 50 years. Her wide vocal range and her willingness to try out other music genres earned her numerous fans and the staying power every artist strives for.

  • Pauline Viardot - She started out as one of the most celebrated operatic singers in the late 1800s. Later on she focused her talents to composing and teaching. She can sing in soprano and contralto voices and her wide vocal range made her quite popular, attracting composers such as Schumann and Brahms to write pieces for her.

  • Hildegard von Bingen - Her name remains prominent on the list of medieval composers. She wrote what is considered the first musical drama in history entitled "The Ritual of the Virtues".

  • Dinah Washington - Also referred to as "The Queen of the Blues," she was a well-known vocalist of the mid-20th century. Her versatile vocal ability enabled her to record songs in various genres; from blues to jazz to pop.

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