New Standards Cover

Genius Jamtracks introduces New Standards

New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers

Extraordinary jazz by 101 women composers! From bebop to blues, from swing to global jazz styles, Terri Lyne Carrington’s collection includes a wide variety of well-known works and hidden gems, within a broad range of jazz and jazz-adjacent styles.

The compositions span nearly a century, including Lil Hardin Armstrong’s work from 1922 to songs written in 2021 by recent Berklee graduates. It features 101 compositions from a remarkable range of acknowledged titans, young visionaries and unsung heroes in jazz.

We added this, not only because we see the value of the publication that helps bring into focus the omission of women composers from the history of jazz, but also because the music in it is simply amazing.

These compositions are supplementary and alternatives to the 'jazz standard' canon that has served students, teachers and professionals throughout the development of jazz music. Developed by our team, Genius Jamtracks sets 'new standards' to the practice tools available for music students and musicians in terms of sound quality and technology. We have developed this software with love and respect to music, and every note that is played. The addition of the 'New Standards' offers incredibly beautiful compositions — but it’s also a statement. Not yet outdated.

We put the songs into a separate playlist for quick access. Go to the Library and tap on the “Playlists” tab — there you will find the “New Standards” section.

The following songs are not included (at least for now):

Theme 1 and Theme 1A + Theme 2, Not in the Mood, Geri’s Glide, Rounds, Speak Eddie, Chaos Theory, Eclats for Ornette, Grammy Season, Primavera, Quick Tipper, Rectangles 3, Continental Cliff, Mosking, The Strawberry.

Their open interpretation and harmony makes it so that any play-along would not do them justice at this point.

Make sure you purchase “New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers” where you will find the original lead sheets of the songs for a deeper dive into the compositions. Practise the melodies with the app, and go through the composers’ arrangements and voicings.

New Standards Book Cover

“New Standards” is a monumental publication and effort led by Terri Lyne Carrington, a multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist, NEA Jazz Master, and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice‘s founder and artistic director.

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About the Author

Terri Lyne Carrington is an NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke Artist, and multiple GRAMMY®-winning drummer, composer, and producer. She is the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, which supports and advocates for the creations and careers of women and non-binary musicians.

The Composers

Toshiko Akiyoshi, Melissa Aldana, Geri Allen, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Dorothy Ashby, Sheryl Bailey, Simone Baron, Jamie Baum, Camila Cortina Bello, Lakecia Benjamin, Airelle Besson, Cindy Blackman, Carla Bley, Jane Ira Bloom, Jaimie Branch, Karen Briggs, Courtney Bryan, Jane Bunnett, Terri Lyne Carrington, Regina Carter, Sara Cassey, Anat Cohen, Alice Coltrane, Carla Cook, Roxy Coss, Sylvie Courvoisier, Marilyn Crispell, Connie Crothers, Caroline Davis, Kris Davis, Eliane Elias, Sandy Evans, Jean Fineberg, Mimi Fox, Tia Fuller, Nubya Garcia, Devon Gates, Rachel Z Hakim, Mary Halvorson, Miho Hazama, Anke Helfrich, Monika Herzig, Hiromi, Jazzmeia Horn, EJ Hwang, Ayn Inserto, Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Mimi Jones, Laura Jurd, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Laubrock, Veronica Leahy, Abbey Lincoln, Melba Liston, Carmen Lundy, Sherrie Maricle, René Marie, Marian McPartland, Myra Melford, Allison Miller, Nicole Mitchell, Linda May Han Oh, Gretchen Parlato, Patricia Zarate Perez, Elena Pinderhughes, Tineke Postma, Dianne Reeves, Tomeka Reid, Emily Remler, Michele Rosewoman, Renee Rosnes, Ada Rovatti, Ellen Rowe, Shamie Royston, Patrice Rushen, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Angelica Sanchez, Marta Sánchez, Arcoiris Sandoval, Maria Schneider, Kate Schutt, Sara Serpa, Bria Skonberg, Cecilia Smith, Luciana Souza, esperanza spalding, Carmen Staaf, Leni Stern, Helen Sung, Alexa Tarantino, Camille Thurman, Marianne Trudel, Ariacne Trujillo, Noriko Ueda, Charenée Wade, Mary D. Watkins, Anna Webber, Mary Lou Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Brandee Younger.

“‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ This book was NEEDED, and now under one umbrella, we all have access to these musical gems by 101 great ladies. Makes me proud!”

~Valerie Simpson, Ashford & Simpson

“This is a long overdue volume that will instantly become an essential item for all of us who study and work towards an understanding of this music and its evolution. This publication is another example of Terri Lyne's generous spirit and deep commitment to the music in action.”

~Pat Metheny

“This book is a much-needed ‘flashlight’ and ‘earphone’ into a treasure trove of composers, who open doors and elevate our spirits. It confirms our ultimate mission as human beings.”

~Wayne Shorter

“What a monumental contribution to the expansion of jazz repertoire. I highly recommend this book to the curious and to all creative musicians and educators.”

~Jack DeJohnette

“New Standards is a ground-breaking publication that I know will make a much-needed impact in jazz education and performance. I’m thrilled to have one of my tunes included!”

~Dianne Reeves

We would like to thank Terri Lyne Carrington, Aja Burrell Wood and Halley Elwell for their trust, support, and collaboration on this project, and their invaluable work with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

Antonis Tsikandilakis – Lead Developer

Mobile app preview with Genius Jamtracks interface

Available for iOS and Android