Last March, to mark International Women's Day, I put together a "Women in Modern Music" playlist on Spotify, celebrating the often under-sung contributions of women composers and improvisers to avant-garde, post-modern or experimental music since the 1960s. To some extent, it was an attempt to bring together two generally very different parts of my life: my involvement with the women-focused investment network Angel Academe and my deep interest in all kinds of modernist music. As it happened, the playlist was received really well, so over the last year I've been continually adding to it, and it currently runs to over 200 pieces (each by a different composer or musician), and a whopping 25 hours!
The initial playlist primarily featured chamber, orchestral and electro-acoustic work, with the odd foray beyond. I've since tried to add more jazz, free improvisation, contemporary electronica and some out-rock. The parameters of the playlist might seem somewhat arbitrary or even capricious, but I've applied something of a "know it when I hear it" rubric to the whole process. There's no folk here, for instance, nor any mainstream rock. As a result, some musicians have necessarily been omitted despite being absolute giants in their field. Indeed, it's meant that some of my very favourite musicians don't feature; Sandy Denny, Björk and most especially Joni Mitchell immediately spring to mind. Forgive me!
Those of you with a strong jazz bent will note one egregious omission, the American jazz big band leader and composer Maria Schneider. Ms. Schneider has taken a principled and highly public stance against music streaming and tech in general, so unfortunately I was unable to include any of her work, despite her being unquestionably one of the most consequential jazz musicians of the 21st Century.
Finally, some hat-tips. Three shows on BBC Radio 3 have been invaluable: The New Music Show, Late Junction and Record Review, with a special shout-out to the brilliant Kate Molleson. Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on BBC 6music is also a great font of weird and beautiful music. The American jazz critic and cultural commentator Ted Gioia has provided many rabbit holes down which I've fallen. And of course, my deepest gratitude is to my wife and Angel Academe co-founder Sarah Turner, who's given me the space and encouragement to do all of this, while having to put up with a sometimes disturbing domestic sonic environment.
As ever, if you think there's anything obviously missing, let me know in the comments below and I'll rectify it immediately! In the meantime, here's the playlist, and a full list of all the composers and performers, with one-line bios and relevant links...
Agathe Max
French violinist and composer
https://www.agathemaxmusic.com/about/
Aileen Sweeney
Scottish composer
https://www.aileensweeney.com
Akiko Yamane
Japanese composer, producer, and artist
https://akikoyamane.com
Alice Coltrane
American jazz musician, composer, and bandleader
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Coltrane
Alice Zawadski
Anglo-Polish singer, violinist, improviser and composer
https://www.alicezmusic.com
Amelia Cuni
Italian Dhrupad singer and composer
https://www.ameliacuni.de
Amina Claudine Myers
American pianist, organist, and composer
http://www.aminaclaudinemyers.com
Angelica Sanchez
American jazz pianist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelica_Sanchez_(musician)
Anna Clementi
Swedish-Italian voice artist and actress
https://www.annaclementi.com
Anna Clyne
English composer
https://www.annaclyne.com
Anna Meredith
Scottish composer and performer of electronic and acoustic music
https://www.annameredith.com
Anna Thovaldsdottir
Icelandic composer
https://www.annathorvalds.com
Anna von Hausswolff
Swedish singer, songwriter, composer, and pipe organist
https://annavonhausswolffmusic.bandcamp.com
Anna Zielinska
Polish violinist and improviser
https://annazielinska.wordpress.com/bio-en/
Annea Lockwood
New Zealand-born American composer
https://www.annealockwood.com
Anne Boyd
Australian composer
https://www.fabermusic.com/we-represent/anne-boyd/works
Annette Peacock
American composer, musician, songwriter, producer, and arranger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Peacock
Ann Eysermans
Belgian composer, performer and conceptual artist
https://www.anneysermans.be/over-mij/
Bára Gísladóttir
Icelandic composer and double bassist
https://www.baragisladottir.com/about.html
Beatrice Dillon
British electronic music producer, DJ, and artist
http://dillonwork.com
Bela Emerson
British cellist and community musician
https://belaemerson.com
Betsy Jolas
Franco-American composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Jolas
Brìghde Chaimbeul
Scottish experimental piper
https://www.brichaimbeul.com
Camila Nebbia
Argentine saxophonist, composer, improviser, visual artist and curator
https://www.camilanebbia.com
Carla Bley
American jazz composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader
http://www.wattxtrawatt.com
Caroline Shaw
American composer, violinist, and singer
https://carolineshaw.com
Cassandra Miller
Canadian experimental composer
https://cassandramiller.wordpress.com
Catherine Christer Hennix
Swedish musician, poet, philosopher, mathematician and visual artist
https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/catherine-christer-hennix-album-guide
Catherine Lamb
American composer and violist
https://www.sacredrealism.org/artists/catherine-lamb/
Cathy Berberian
American mezzo-soprano and composer
https://cathyberberian.com/music/
Charlotte Bray
British composer
http://charlottebray.co.uk
Chelsea Wolfe
American singer-songwriter and musician
https://chelseawolfe.com
Chen Yi
Chinese-American composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Yi_(composer)
Cheryl Frances Hoad
British composer
https://www.cherylfranceshoad.co.uk
Chiyoko Szlavnics
Canadian experimental composer
https://www.chiyokoszlavnics.org/welcome.html
Claire M Singer
British composer and organist
https://www.clairemsinger.com
Clara Ianotta
Italian composer
http://claraiannotta.com
Claudia Molitor
English-German composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Molitor
Colleen
French composer of electronic and ambient music
https://colleenplays.org
Daniela Huerta
Mexican multimedia artist, DJ, and sound therapist
https://huertadaniela.com
Daphne Oram
British composer and electronic musician
https://www.daphneoram.org
Delia Derbyshire
English musician and composer of electronic music
https://deliaderbyshireday.com
Diamanda Galás
American singer and songwriter
http://diamandagalas.com
Dobrinka Tabakova
Bulgarian-British composer
https://www.dobrinka.com
Dobromiła Jaskot
Polish composer
https://www.dobromilajaskot.com
Dorothy Ashby
American jazz harpist, singer and composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Ashby
Du Yun
Chinese-American composer and performance artist
https://channelduyun.com
Eiko Ishibashi
Japanese composer, singer-songwriter and musician
https://eikoishibashi.bandcamp.com
Elaine Mitchener
British-Caribbean experimental vocalist, composer, and movement artist
https://www.elainemitchener.com
Elena Ruehr
American composer
https://elenaruehr.org
Eleni Karaindrou
Greek composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleni_Karaindrou
Éliane Radigue
French electronic music composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Éliane_Radigue
Elin Forkelid
Swedish jazz and free jazz saxophonist
https://elinforkelid.com
Elizabeth Maconchy
Irish-English composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Maconchy
Elizabeth Ogenek
American composer
https://elizabethogonek.com
Ellen Arkbro
Swedish composer
https://www.ellenarkbro.com
Ellie Wilson
British composer and violinist
https://www.elliewilsonmusic.co.uk
Emilie Cecilia LeBel
Canadian composer
https://www.emilielebel.ca
Emily Praetorius
American composer
https://www.emilypraetorius.com/
Emma-Kate Matthews
British architect, artist, musician and composer
https://www.ekmworks.com
Emma Ruth Rundle
American singer-songwriter, artist and guitarist
https://www.emmaruthrundle.com
Erika Angell
Swedish vocalist and composer
https://www.erikaangell.com
Eve Beglarian
American composer
https://evbvd.com
Fang Man
Chinese composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fang_Man_(composer)
Freya Waley-Cohen
British-American composer
https://www.freyawaleycohen.com
Gabriela Lena Frank
American pianist and composer
https://www.glfcam.com
Gabrielle Cerberville
American composer and interdisciplinary artist
https://gabriellecerberville.com
Galina Ustvolskaya
Russian composer
https://ustvolskaya.org/eng/
Geri Allen
American jazz pianist, composer, and educator
https://geriallen.com
Gloria Coates
American composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Coates
Graciela Castillo
Argentine electroacoustic composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graciela_Castillo
Hania Rani
Polish pianist and composer
https://haniarani.com
Hannah Kendall
British composer
https://hannahkendall.co.uk
Helen Svoboda
Finnish-Australian double bassist, vocalist, composer
https://www.helensvoboda.com
Hilda Dianda
Argentinian composer, musicologist, music educator, and conductor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilda_Dianda
Hilda Paredes
Mexican composer
https://hildaparedes.com
Hinako Omori
Japanese singer and composer
http://www.hinakoomori.com
Hiromi
Japanese jazz composer and pianist
https://www.hiromiuehara.com
Ikue Mori
Japanese drummer, electronic musician, composer, and graphic designer
https://ikuemori.com/home.html
Inca Ore (Eva Saelens)
American composer and musician
https://incaore.bandcamp.com
India Gailey
Canadian cellist, improviser, composer and multidisciplinary artist
https://indiagailey.com
Ingrid Laubrock
German jazz saxophonist
http://ingridlaubrock.com
Isobel Waller-Bridge
British composer
https://isobelwaller-bridge.com
Jacqueline Nova
Colombian musician and author
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Nova
Jaimie Branch
American jazz trumpeter and composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaimie_Branch
Jasmine Myra
British saxophonist, composer and bandleader
https://jasminemyra.com
Jasmine Wood
American composer, producer and multidisciplinary artist
https://www.jasminewood.xyz
Jeanine Tesori
American composer and arranger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanine_Tesori
Jeanne Lee
American singer and poet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Lee
Jennifer Higdon
American composer
http://jenniferhigdon.com
Jessie Montgomery
American composer and violinist
https://www.jessiemontgomery.com
Joanna Bailie
British composer
https://joannabailie.com
Joan Tower
American composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Tower
Joëlle Léandre
French double bassist and composer
https://www.joelle-leandre.com
Johanna Bramli
British musician, sound artist, composer and performer
http://www.johannabramli.com
Judith Bingham
British composer and mezzo-soprano
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Bingham
Judith Weir
British composer
https://www.judithweir.com
Julia Holter
American singer-songwriter, record producer, composer, artist, and academic
https://juliaholter.com
Julia Hülsmann
German jazz pianist and composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Hülsmann
Julia Wolfe
American composer
https://juliawolfemusic.com
Kaija Saariaho
Finnish composer
https://saariaho.org
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
American composer, performer and producer
https://kaitlynaureliasmith.com
Kali Malone
American composer and organist
https://kalimalone.com
Karen Tanaka
Japanese composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Tanaka
Katherine Hoover
American composer and flautist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Hoover
Kayla Painter
British experimental artist and producer
https://www.kaylapainter.com/
Keiko Fukiie
Japanese composer
https://www.keiko-fujiie.com
Rie Nakajima
Japanese artist and musician
https://www.rienakajima.com
Kerensa Briggs
British composer
https://www.kerensabriggs.co.uk
Kerry Andrew
British composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Andrew
Kris Davis
Canadian jazz pianist and composer
https://krisdavis.net
Laurie Anderson
American multimedia artist and musician
https://laurieanderson.com
Laurie Spiegel
American electronic composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Spiegel
Laetitia Sonami
French performance artist and composer
https://sonami.net
Lara Sarkissian
American electronic musician and sound artist
https://larasarkissian.bandcamp.com
Laura Cannell
British composer, improvising recorder player and violinist
https://lauracannell.com
Laura Kaminsky
American composer
https://laurakaminsky.com
Laura Toxvaerd
Danish saxophonist, composer and author
http://www.lauratoxvaerd.dk/index.htm
Laurel Halo
American electronic musician
https://www.laurelhalo.com
Leila Bordreuil
French-American cellist, composer, and sound-artist
http://www.leilabordreuil.com
Lena Lapelyté
Polish artist, musician and composer
https://www.linalapelyte.com
Lera Auerbach
Austrian-American composer, conductor and concert pianist
https://leraauerbach.com
Leslie Uyeda
Canadian composer, conductor and pianist
https://www.leslieuyeda.com
Libby Larsen
American composer
https://libbylarsen.com
Linda May Han Oh
Australian jazz bassist and composer
https://lindamayhanoh.com
Linda Perhacs
American psychedelic folk singer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Perhacs
Lisa Bielawa
American composer and vocalist
http://www.lisabielawa.net
Lisa Gerarrd
Australian singer and composer
https://www.lisagerrard.com
Lisa Illean
Australian composer
https://www.lisaillean.com.au/
Lisa Mezzacappa
American bassist, bandleader, and producer
https://www.lisamezzacappa.com/
Lisa Streich
Swedish composer
https://www.lisastreich.se
Lisa Ullén
Korean-Swedish pianist, improviser and composer
https://lisaullen.com
Liza Lim
Australian composer
https://lizalimcomposer.com
Lotta Wennäkoski
Finnish composer
https://lottawennakoski.com
Lotte Anker
Danish saxophonist and composer
http://www.lotteanker.com
Loula Yorke
British composer and improviser
https://loulayorke.com
Lucia Dlugoszewski
Polish-American composer, poet and choreographer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucia_Dlugoszewski
Lucy Railton
British cellist, composer and curator
https://lucyrailton.com/
Lucy Walker
British composer
https://www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk/directory/lucy-helen-walker/
Magdalena Długosz
Polish composer
https://culture.pl/en/artist/magdalena-dlugosz
Maggie Nicols
Scottish free-jazz and improvising vocalist, dancer, and performer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Nicols
Maja Osojnik
Slovenian singer, composer, improvising electroacoustic musician, sound artist and producer
https://maja.klingt.org
Makiko Nishikaze
Japanese composer
http://www.makiko-nishikaze.de/biography_e.htm
Mariam Rezaei
English composer, writer, performer, DJ and improviser
https://mariamrezaei.bandcamp.com
Marie Awadis
Armenian composer and pianist
https://www.marie-awadis.com
Marie de la Nuit
French sound artist
https://mariedelanuit.bandcamp.com
Marilyn Crispell
American jazz pianist and composer
https://marilyncrispell.com
Mari Takano
Japanese composer and pianist
https://maritakano.com/en/
Marta Forsberg
Swedish-Polish composer, sound artist and musician
https://martaforsberg.com/about/
Martyna Kosecka
Polish Composer, Conductor and Performer of contemporary music
http://www.martynakosecka.com
Mary Halvorson
American avant-garde jazz composer and guitarist
https://www.maryhalvorson.com
Mary Kouyoumidjan
Armenian-American composer
https://www.marykouyoumdjian.com
Mary Lattimore
American harpist
https://marylattimoreharpist.bandcamp.com
Matilde Meireles
Portuguese sound artist and researcher
https://matildemeireles.com
Melinda Wagner
American composer
https://www.melindawagnermusic.com
Meredi
German-Armenian composer and pianist
https://www.meredi.de
Meredith Monk
American composer and performance artist
https://www.meredithmonk.org
Mette Henriette
Sámi-Norwegian saxophonist and composer
https://mettehenriette.com
Mica Levi
English musician, composer, producer, singer, and songwriter
https://micalevi.bandcamp.com
Mieko Shiomi
Japanese artist and composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mieko_Shiomi_(composer)
Miyoko Yokoyama
Japanese composer
https://www.miokoyokoyama.com
Misato Mochizuki
Japanese composer
https://www.misato-mochizuki.com
Missy Mazzoli
American composer and pianist
https://missymazzoli.com
ML Buch
Danish musician, composer, and producer
https://www.mlbuch.com
Moor Mother
American poet and musician
https://moormother.net
Myra Melford
American jazz pianist and composer
https://www.myramelford.com
Nala Sinephro
Belgian experimental jazz musician
https://nalasinephro.com/
Natalia Beylis
Irish composer and sound artist
https://nataliabeylis.bandcamp.com
Nico
German singer-songwriter and actress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico
Nicola LeFanu
British composer, academic, lecturer and director
https://www.nicolalefanu.com
Nicole Mitchell
American flautist and composer
https://www.nicolemitchell.com
Nina Garcia
French guitarist, composer and improviser
https://ideologicorgan.bandcamp.com
Noiko Koide
Japanese composer
https://www.schott-music.com/en/person/noriko-koide
Noriko Matsueda
Japanese composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriko_Matsueda
Oksana Linde
Venezuelan composer and electronic musician
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oksana_Linde
Olga Amelkina-Vera
Belarusian-American guitarist and composer
https://www.olgaamelkinavera.com
Olga Anna Markowska
Polish interdisciplinary artist and musician
https://www.olgamarkowska.com/olgaannamarkowska
Olga Neuwirth
Austrian composer
http://www.olganeuwirth.com/about.php
Paola Prestini
Italian composer
https://www.paolaprestini.com
Patricia Brennan
Mexican vibraphone player, composer and improviser
http://www.patriciabrennanvibes.com
Patricia Wolf
American musician, sound designer, and DJ
https://patriciawolf.bandcamp.com
Pauline Oliveros
American composer and accordionist
https://paulineoliveros.us
Pouloumi Desai
British multidisciplinary artist and curator
https://poulomidesai.tumblr.com
Reena Ismail
Indian-American music composer
https://www.reenaesmail.com
Ruth Goller
British bassist, vocalist, and composer
https://www.ruthgoller.com
Ryoko Akama
Japanese-Korean composer and installation artist
https://ryokoakama.com
Sachiyo Tsurumi
Japanese composer
https://soundcloud.com/tsurumi-sachiyo
Sally Beamish
British composer
https://www.sallybeamish.com
Sang Mi Ahn
South Korean composer
https://donne-uk.org/author/ahn-sang-mi/
Santa Ratniece
Latvian composer
http://santaratniece.blogspot.com/
Sarah Davachi
Canadian composer
https://www.sarahdavachi.com
Sarah Hennies
American composer and percussionist
https://www.sarah-hennies.com
Sarah Kirkland Snider
American composer
https://www.sarahkirklandsnider.com
Sarah Nemtsov
German composer
https://www.sarah-nemtsov.de/en/biography/
Sara Schoenbeck
American jazz bassoonist
https://www.saraschoenbeck.com
Sasha Scott
British producer, violinist, and orchestrator
https://www.sashascott.com
Satoko Fuji
Japanese avant-garde jazz pianist, accordionist and composer
https://satokofujii.com/wp_site/
Serafina Steer
British harpist and composer
https://serafinasteer.bandcamp.com
Shiva Feshareki
British-Iranian experimental composer and turntable artist
https://studiofeshareki.com
Shulamit Ran
Israeli-American composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shulamit_Ran
Sofia Gubaidulina
Russian composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofia_Gubaidulina
Stina Stjern
Norwegian composer and musician
https://stinastjern.bandcamp.com
Susan Alcorn
American composer, improviser, and pedal steel guitarist
https://www.susanalcorn.net
Susanne Abbuehl
Swiss/Dutch jazz singer and composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanne_Abbuehl
Susie Ibarra
American composer and percussionist
https://www.susieibarra.com
Suzanne Ciani
American musician and sound designer
https://suzanneciani.bandcamp.com
Sylvie Courvoisier
Swiss composer, pianist, improviser and bandleader
https://www.sylviecourvoisier.com
Tania Chen
English pianist and interdisciplinary sound artist
https://taniachen.com
Tania Léon
Cuban-American composer
https://www.tanialeon.com
Theresa Wong
American cellist, vocalist, composer and improviser
https://www.theresawong.org/about
Tomeka Reid
American composer, improviser, cellist, curator, and teacher
https://tomekareid.com
Tonia Ko
Hong Kong composer
http://toniako.com
Unsuk Chin
South Korean composer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsuk_Chin
Valentina Magaletti
Italian drummer, percussionist, improviser and composer
https://valentinamagaletti.com
Valerie Coleman
American composer and flautist
https://www.valeriecoleman.com
Wang Jie
Chinese-American composer
https://wangjiemusic.com
Wendy Eisenberg
American guitarist, banjo and improvisor
https://www.wendyeisenberg.com
Yağı Michiyo
Japanese koto player, improviser and composer
https://www.michiyoyagi.com
Yazz Achmed
British-Bahraini trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer
https://www.yazzahmed.com
Yoko Ono
Japanese multimedia artist, singer and songwriter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Ono
Yumi Saiki
Japanese composer
https://www.zen-on.co.jp/en/publishing/cr/composers/detail/47/
Yvette Janine Jackson
American composer and sound artist
http://www.yvettejackson.com
Zoë Mc Pherson
French/northern Irish artist, performer, sound designer,
https://zoemcpherson.xyz
What a triumph! Amazing work to put all these fantastic women creators in one playlist. Thank you!
Posted by: Jeremy Silver | March 07, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Dear Simon,
More by accident than design I posted your IWD playlist to all my contacts in Instagram.
Here’s what happened next:
1. I got an “out of office” auto reply from all girl garage rock combo The Darts
2. Feminist electropunks from Brighton CLT DRP (my favourite band right now) liked the post
3. Beverly Ochieng, a brilliant journalist and Africa analyst, who used to work at BBC Monitoring but is now based in Senegal, sent a nice thank you note, although she should be thanking you rather than me
4. Up and coming international pop star Alice Longyu Gao asked whether she was in the playlist. I told her she wasn’t.
5. Angelica Garcia, fabulous Latina pop auteur also liked the post
Happy International Women’s Day!
Posted by: Nick Reynolds | March 09, 2025 at 08:59 AM
Superb playlist Simon.
Posted by: John Kieffer | March 17, 2025 at 06:22 PM
An excellent list, Simon.
Three I'd add off the top of my head - Natasha Barrett (electroacoustic composer), Christina Kubisch (er, another electroacoustic composer), and Kuniko Kato (percussionist extraordinaire).
Px
Posted by: Peter Marsh | April 12, 2025 at 04:26 PM