Nationwide survey
Results of a survey on gender equality in the German jazz scene are available
For a long time, the jazz scene in Germany and worldwide was dominated by men. Women were only represented as singers, less often as pianists. ‘This imbalance has been critically discussed in the jazz scene for some time,’ says Dr Martin Pfleiderer, professor of the history of jazz and popular music in Weimar.
In fact, there are now many more women playing at festivals and in jazz clubs than there were ten years ago - including on saxophone or trumpet, double bass or drums. ‘In contrast, female lecturers in jazz education at German universities are still an exception,’ says Pfleiderer.
In a research seminar at the Department of Musicology Weimar-Jena at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, a group of students analysed the background to these gender-specific inequalities in jazz. Under the direction of Prof Dr Martin Pfleiderer, an online survey on the current situation on the German jazz scene was designed, the results of which are now available.
A total of 136 jazz musicians across Germany took part in the survey, including 44 students. They were asked about their training and everyday working life. The questions focussed on gender-specific experiences of discrimination as well as attitudes and assessments of gender equality in the German jazz scene.
The survey confirms the results of previous studies, but concretises them with regard to very specific gender-specific experiences of discrimination and deficits in jazz education at German universities. The results show a growing awareness of gender equality issues, especially among women and younger jazz musicians. However, they also indicate that there is still a need for discussion and action in many areas.
The Equal Opportunities Officer at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, Prof Bettina Born, expressly supports the study: ‘We hope that we have made a small contribution to the still long and rocky road to a gender-equitable music culture.’
The study was published in cooperation with the German Jazz Union and can be viewed and downloaded online in the Digital Library of Thuringia:
https://www.db-thueringen.de/receive/dbt_mods_61618
[2 September 2024]