Clora Bryant - Clora Bryant Plays and Sings Complete Recordings 1957-1960 (live) (2023)

Trumpeter Clora Bryant (1927-2019) made an indelible mark on the vibrant Los Angeles jazz scene. A member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and other all-female swing bands in the 1940s, she later immersed herself in the world of bebop on Central Avenue during the late 1940s. This iconic thoroughfare, the heart of black Los Angeles, played a pivotal role in the evolution of West Coast black music.

On her musical journey, Clora frequented venues like the Downbeat, where she had the opportunity to listen to luminaries such as Teddy Edwards and Howard McGhee. Reflecting on her early days, she fondly reminisced in 2011, ‘When I began my journey on Central Avenue, there were no women participating in jam sessions. I held a unique place; you can’t even imagine! I’d take my trumpet, walk up, and start playing. I was the only woman doing it.’

Determined to secure more gigs, Clora expanded her stage presence by incorporating singing into her performances. Despite facing indignities due to her race and choice of instrument, her unwavering passion and love for jazz propelled her to overcome the difficulties and barriers in her path.

Her life was marked by a steadfast dedication to jazz, and her legacy resonates in the world of music. Recognized as one of L.A.’s outstanding trumpeters, or as she preferred, a ‘trumpetiste,’ Clora Bryant’s impact on jazz endures.

—Jordi Pujol