She's Restoring Native American Jazz History - and Creating Her Own

"Often referred to as "The Rockin' Chair Lady" after one of her early hits, Bailey was the first woman to sing with a jazz big band, touring with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra from 1929-33. Along with Louis Armstrong, she played an essential role in shaping Bing Crosby's jazz-inspired phrasing, which is to say, American pop music."

"Other prominent Native American jazz artists included "Big Chief" Russell Moore (1912-1983), the prolific Pima trombonist best known for several stints with Louis Armstrong. And the number of Black jazz greats with Native American heritage remains striking, including modern jazz architects such as drummer Max Roach, bassists Oscar Pettiford and Charlie Mingus, alto saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie."

"Keefe began developing the Mildred Bailey Project around 2009. It eventually put her on the jazz map, and connected Keefe with other Native American jazz musicians. There had been talk for years about creating an Indigenous jazz orchestra, but financing the unprecedented venture seemed impossible until she landed a major grant from South Arts in 2021."

Mildred Bailey, known as "The Rockin' Chair Lady," was a groundbreaking Indigenous jazz artist who toured with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra from 1929-33, becoming the first woman to sing with a jazz big band. She played a crucial role in shaping Bing Crosby's jazz-influenced vocal style, fundamentally impacting American popular music. Despite recording numerous classic songs with era-defining improvisers, Bailey faded from prominence after her death in 1951 at age 44. Other notable Native American jazz musicians include trombonist Russell Moore and artists like Max Roach, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. The Mildred Bailey Project, initiated around 2009, revitalized interest in her legacy and connected contemporary Native American jazz musicians. A major South Arts grant in 2021 enabled the creation of an unprecedented 16-piece Indigenous jazz orchestra, co-led by Diné trumpeter Delbert Anderson, debuting in 2022.

Read at Kqed