Carte Blanche à Jeanne Michard

| Jazz, standards, tribute

Elvira "Vi" Redd is a great saxophonist and singer who left her mark on her time. Born in Los Angeles on September 20, 1928, she grew up in a household of musicians. She started playing the saxophone at the age of 12 and began her professional career at the age of 20. In the 60s and 70s, she toured as a soloist in Count Basie's orchestra and collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Linda Hopkins, and Marian McPartland, among others.
Both a bandleader and a sideman, she recorded two albums under her own name, "Bird Call" and "Lady Soul," showcasing her talents as a singer and instrumentalist. Unfortunately, her two albums were withdrawn from the market for years, and despite the success she had with her contemporaries, she remains unjustly unknown today. Like many of her female colleagues, she speaks of the challenges of being a woman in the very male-dominated music industry, especially in jazz: "I see no advantage for a female musician. I have found only disadvantages," she explained in 1957 before taking a three-year break in her music career to work as a social worker.
Returning to the stage in the early 60s, she embarked on years of tours in the United States and internationally, and despite the difficulties encountered on the road, she persevered and continued to pave the way for many other talented women in the jazz world throughout her career. Today, it seemed essential to us to organize this tribute and honor the music of this artist who has been too little heard of. On this occasion, Jeanne Michard (saxophone) and Elle Birath (vocals) will harmonize together the notes and lyrics of Vi Redd.

A concert initiated and realized in partnership with Fragments.
Fragments is an association committed to gender equality in the arts and culture. It fights against discrimination and supports artistic creation, mainly by women. Its flagship project, "Women of Jazz, Another History of Jazz," highlights the invisible contributions of women in the history of jazz. Through traveling exhibitions and cultural activities, it is aimed at all audiences. Fragments also develops research resources, mediation actions, and artistic support mechanisms. The association works for a more inclusive, accessible, and representative culture. asso-fragments.com