Milwaukee Film Fest 2013: The Girls In The Band

It's no secret that history is full of powerful, talented women whose main problem was being born in the wrong time. It follows then, that projects of rediscovery are often the only way some women would ever get the proper praise for their accomplishments. “The Girls In The Band” is a worthy contribution to one section of a very neglected and incredibly rich history, that of women in jazz.

It's certainly very refreshing to see such topics explored in such an accessible, non-self righteous way. Even documentaries such as “20 Feet From Stardom,” which place women of color at the center of their narratives, have the tendency to completely ignore issues of race and gender.

Here, tales of sexism abound in the heyday of jazz. The excellent interviews with women from the time relate tales of how big bands would only hire women if they engaged in suitably “feminine” activities, such as singing. “You put the horn up to your lip, or in your mouth, that was it,” one of the women recalled. “They would not call you.”

But “The Girls In The Band” also has a surprisingly upbeat tone. When women discovered they couldn't get work or be taken seriously in the big venues, they started their own all-female jazz bands. One of the bands the documentary focuses on is the “International Sweethearts Of Rhythm,” so called because of the many races that made up its roster. Even as the women matter-of-factly relate stories of Jim Crow segregation and the way even incredibly talented women were swept under the rug, the music and characters always shine brighter.

Ironically, one of the most heartbreaking moments in “The Girls In The Band” was when many women actually got a taste of real career success and accolades during WWII when most of the men were off fighting. For the first time, all-female big jazz bands were taken seriously and booked in respectable, mainstream venues. But after the war, it seems they were right back to square one and even more openly derided and mocked. Then rock 'n roll effectively ended big band jazz.

But believe it or not, “The Girls In The Band” actually ends on a high note. In the 70s, the jazz field was one of the many areas where women began asserting themselves. The first Women's Jazz Festival was in 1977, which reunited many musicians and even enabled a few to revive their careers. And while many more recent female jazz players were tragically unaware of their history, some described how their experiences differed (sometimes drastically) from their musical ancestors.

Nostalgic while retaining its realism, brilliantly edited, featuring fantastic clips and (of course) great music, “The Girls In The Band” makes it look as easy.

Grade: A+