Sophisticated Ladies: The Great Women of Jazz / Dutton Children’s Books.
“I illustrated this project a number of years ago, but wanted to post it here as the book has gained new momentum recently. Written by Jazz historian Leslie Gourse, the book contains biographies of some of the great Jazz Diva’s from the past 100 years. It received a Carter G. Woodson Book Award for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. This award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” The portraits included here, in order, are: Dinah Washington, Ethel Waters, Mabel Mercer, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day, Betty Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Cassandra Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald.”