I am a jazz singer, musicologist and Phd candidate in jazz research in love with jazz music in all its forms.
My name is Maria Blengino, aka Mary. From Piedmont, I am a jazz singer, musicologist and PhD Candidate in Jazz Research at Kunst Uni Graz.
I love jazz music all-around, as well as being passionate about the lives of those who made Jazz History. Particularly dedicated to highlighting the female presence in this musical genre through singing and writing, I strive for its greater consideration and well-deserved celebration.
I am graduating from the Master of Music Disciplines program at the University of Bologna. The thesis, titled “D’altro canto, canto d’altro(ve). Vocal experimentation between Italy and the USA” investigates the power of the sound of our voice beyond individual words and the uniqueness of each person’s voice, the true mark of our identity.
After a while I feel the need to talk about jazz, but in a slightly different way. Thus, the project of this website to include history, vicissitudes, thoughts, songs and often hidden notes, is born. These hidden notes come from the women of jazz, Le Jazziste.
In the fall I begin a new adventure as a music researcher: I am a doctoral student at Kunstuniversität Graz (Austria) in Jazz Research, to continue my journey into the world of female jazz.
I attend the internship at the Italian Women’s Library in Bologna, discovering myself inclined toward issues on feminism. And it is there, in that safe and free place, meeting ambitious, determined and sensitive women, that I begin my personal research on women in jazz.
I write two “voices” for the Encyclopedia of Women (based in Milan), dedicated to pianist Mary Lou Williams and singer Lorez Alexandria, two of my jazz inspirations.
I graduate in Jazz Singing from the Conservatory of Cuneo with a thesis on songwriter Frank Loesser and the transition from American song to jazz standards.
Being a curious traveler, I set off in search of jazz clubs in Europe and beyond to compare and connect places, tunes and traditions of this wonderful musical genre.
In September, I move from Piedmont to Bologna (which turns out to be my second home!) to chase the trail of one of the first European jazz festivals and begin to unearth new sounds by singing with local musicians.
I teach singing at the Music School Associazione Musicainsieme, in Luserna S. Giovanni (To) with the aim of directing young girls toward the passion and enthusiasm for singing and music more than toward technique, which also complements our encounters.
At the age of 19, I discover jazz through three records that my dad kept in his library. It is Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra that fascinate me and make me decide to attempt admission to the Conservatory.
I graduate from Classical High School, driven by the pleasure of culture but prone to rebellion against the rigidity and prejudices that often crowd the circles of knowledge.
After four months of a health degree, where I am persuaded to pursue a dream that does not belong to me, I finally decide to fight to unleash the fire of my musical passion and cast off my moorings!
At age seven, it’s love at first hearing for music: I play classical piano and start singing in four choirs.
