If anyone is paying close enough attention to the entertainment world, they might see a bit of a trend: black women in the spotlight. Beyoncé's new single 'Run The World (Girls)' is all about women taking over ... basically everything. Queen Latifah is set to executive produce a newly scripted series on VH1 called 'Single Ladies' starring Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash. And Maya Rudolph, late of 'Saturday Night Live,' is getting shine with her starring role in the box-office hit 'Bridesmaids.' And now comes another notable addition -- drummer Terri Lyne Carrington's new project, 'Mosaic.'
Yesterday the jazz drummer announced the release of her fifth album, a special 14-song project featuring some of the most prominent female jazz artists playing today. Guests include Esperanza Spalding, the gifted vocalist/bassist who beat out Justin Bieber for Best New Artist at this year's Grammys, singers Cassandra Wilson and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and pianist Geri Allen.
In the male-dominated jazz world, Carrington has amassed a stellar reputation as one of the best drummers in the genre. For 25 years, the Berklee College of Music alumn and now professor has worked with a number of well-known musicians, most notably Herbie Hancock, who she played behind for 10 years. Carrington received a scholarship to Berklee at the age of 11, and her illustrious career since has included a broad range of collaborative efforts. She was drummer for the house band on the 1990's late-night talk show, 'The Arsenio Hall Show,' and teamed with the singer Peabo Bryson on the 1996 Summer Olympic Games anthem, "Always Reach For Your Dreams."
For Carrington, 'Mosaic' is not so much a politicized social statement about gender equality in the jazz world as it is a testament to the wealth of talented female jazz musicians. "When I started playing 25 years ago, I might have felt limited by the pool of available musicians," said Carringon in a recent statement. "But now there are so many talented women [out there]."
'Mosaic' is scheduled for a July 19 release.