HISTORIC WOMEN DRUMMERS 

Dottie Dodgion

(1916 -- 2000)

Read Dottie Dodgion's bio in Jazzwomen: Conversations with Twenty-one Musicians, by Wayne Enstice and Janis Stockhouse, 2004

Pauline Braddy

(dates unknown)

Read more about her on the Sweethearts of Rhythm page

CURRENT PLAYERS

NAME

Sheila E

Worked with Marvin Gaye and Prince, videos, albums for Warner Brothers Records 

Cindy Blackman

Worked with The Drifters,  Wallace Roney, Joe Henderson, and many others

Valeri Naranjo (marimba)

Jazz, folk and new music; recorded with Phillip Glass, works with Latin jazz groups

Sherrie Maricle

Leader of DIVA, NYC all-woman band; played with Slam Stewart, Clark Terry; many albums

Vicki Randle

Jay Leno Show band, recorded with Branford Marsalis, George Benson, Herbie Hancock 

Sue Evans

Worked with Judy Collins, Gil Evans, Jon Faddis; studio work, NY Philharmonic,

Sylvia Cuenca

Worked with Clark Terry, Ron McClure, Gary Bartz; festivals around the world

Bernadine Warren

Worked with Tina Turner, Chuck Berry; many gospel concerts and albums

Carol Steele (Afro-Cuban music)

Worked with Flora Purim, Tito Puente, Diana Ross, the Manhattan Transfer

These are only a small portion of the women who have excelled as drummers, past and present. You'll find many more in Madame Jazz, by Leslie Gourse; Stormy Weather, by Linda Dahl, Jazzwomen by Sally Plaksin, and Swing Shift by Sherrie Tucker     

Add YOUR favorite female drummers on Susan's Comment page!