Sometimes it can be a struggle to put on some new music. I find a lot of comfort in listening to my favorite albums over and over again. While I do deepen my understanding and appreciation of this music when I listen to it again, it is important to be exposed to more artists. I […]
Author Archives: samspearmusic
September 2019 Newsletter
I can’t believe it’s already September. The summer has once again flown by, but I am so excited for the adventures up ahead. Today is my first day as a student at New England Conservatory! I am so honored to be a part of this talented and friendly community. It is also my first day in […]
Summer Reading List 2019
Reading about jazz was a passion of mine from a young age. Unfortunately, this facet of my fascination with the music took a backseat during my undergraduate studies, but it’s back in full swing (ha)! Here’s what I read this summer. What did you check out? Morning Glory, Linda Dahl Mary Lou Williams’ story is […]
Willene Barton: An Overlooked Link in the Big Three Tenor Legacy
As you may know, I created and maintain a Women in Jazz Directory, which includes the most comprehensive (and ever-growing) list of past and active women in jazz that I have been able to find on the internet or elsewhere. I created this resource because it is something I wish I would have had earlier […]
I Know That You Know
I love jazz standards. I especially love finding great tunes that have somehow escaped the common repertoire (though tunes do cycle in and out of popularity). To celebrate my first gig as a bandleader in Boston, I thought it would be fun to profile one such tune that we will be performing tonight entitled “I […]
IAWM Search for New Music Contest Winner!
I am so honored to have been selected as an International Alliance for Women in Music Search for New Music contest winner! My original composition “Survivor’s Suite” was chosen for the 2019 Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Prize. Watch the premier of “Survivor’s Suite” from April 11, 2019 Now here’s the part people don’t usually talk […]
Freddy Martin: My New Hometown Hero
One of my life’s passions is studying jazz history, as well as interplay of jazz’s evolution with that of American culture. I am trying to use my blog as a space for my musings rather than filling up everyone’s Facebook feeds. I hope you find this content interesting and that it shows another side of […]
August Newsletter is Out!
I’m excited to (finally) share my August Newsletter! There are lots of exciting adventures coming up, including my first gig as a bandleader in Boston happening next week. I’m also working on updating this blog and making more content for you all. Look out for more coming soon!
Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, Celebrating and Empowering Women
I was honored to be included in this story about the gender bias in jazz and how the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice is working to empower women and put female narratives back into the history of jazz. Thank you to WBUR and Amelia Mason for sharing this important story! Hear and read […]
Featured in DownBeat Magazine February 2019
I am honored to be included in the cover story for the February issue of DownBeat, which covers a critical conversation about gender inequality in jazz. Read it here.
