Kansas City jazz is nothing without its women. Here are the musicians you need to know

From the "Queen of the Blues" to the irreplaceable Myra Taylor, learn about the talented women who've made both jazz and Kansas City all the better for their talents.
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Jazz is part of Kansas City’s DNA. But of the many historic and present day artists, how many women can you name?

Since the inception of jazz in the early 20th century, into the heyday of the Roaring '20s and through all the decades since, there have been exceptional women in jazz — performers who not only had the skill to impress but also the stamina to endure the male-dominated field, challenging inherent sexism and racism.

Carol Comer and Dianne Gregg founded the Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festival, seeking to celebrate, support and bring awareness to women in jazz. Running from 1978-1985, the festival brought national acts to town, as well as showcasing local artists and honoring Kansas City’s jazz heritage. Kansas City writer Carolyn Glenn Brewer documents the history of the festival in her book “Changing the Tune.”