Women Musicians That You Should Definitely Listen To (If you haven't yet) | Part 3

32. St. Vincent

Genre: Soft rock/indie/pop/hard rock

Anne Erin "Annie" Clark, known as St. Vincent, started as a member of The Polyphonic Spree and the Sufjan Stevens band before forming her band in 2006. After her debut solo album Marry Me (2007), she won three Grammys for her albums Masseduction (2019) and St. Vincent. (2015)

Her discographic works have been acclaimed for her distinctive style which combines elements of soft rock, indie, pop, hard rock, electro-jazz, and dance.

St. Vincent - Down

Did you know? St. Vincent fronted Nirvana for the rendition of “Lithium” at the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

33. Hope Masike

Genre: Zimbabwean music/African music

Hailed as one of Zimbabwe's Mbira music custodians, Hope Masike has brought her brand of Zimbabwean music to diverse global audiences since 2007. Masike's music is a fun-filled hybrid of music styles tied together by her signature sublime Mbira playing, sultry voice, and highly-charged performances. She takes to the stage with impressive, entertaining showmanship, performing her unique brand of African music, with an energetic Zimbabwean band comprising Mbira and modern instruments. She mostly sings in beautiful, little-known African languages like her mother tongue, Shona. Her live performances seamlessly move from classic Zimbabwean traditional music to Africa's modern music.

Todzungaira | Hope Masike

Did you know? Hope Masike recorded “Todzungaira,” Live Outside with PFC, which is a Zimbabwean traditional song that is a lament for liberation and spiritualism.

34. Jade Castrinos

Genre: Indie rock

Jade Castrinos is an American singer-songwriter who formed part of the indie rock band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros in 2005, being part of its formative years and helping structure their official launch as a band.

Jade left the band in 2014, during the band’s summer tour, and since then she has put more emphasis on her solo career, expressing her passion for music in her collaborations with the vocalist and leader of The Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan.

Jade Castrinos at Peacelink Live

Did you know? Jade developed her interest in music after listening to Joni Mitchell. Her passion led her to start writing songs and singing with her father at 11 years old.

35. Mihirangi

Genre: Indigenous music/rock/alternative

Mihirangi is renowned for her distinctive vocal range and vocals. Mihirangi created her own single-member band using only a loop pedal and layering her own vocal sounds. (pending to correct)

As an indigenous producer, activist, and solo artist, Mihirangi expresses her identity through her natural stage presence, unique vocal abilities, and rhythmic musicianship.

When The Levee Breaks feat. John Paul Jones | Playing For Change

Did you know? Mihirangi played the vocals on our most recent Song Around The World, “When The Levee Breaks,” featuring the legendary John Paul Jones.

36. Karen O

Genre: Indie rock/alternative/folk

As the iconic frontwoman of the indie rock band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen Lee Orzolek has been an outstanding vocalist and songwriter, staged the experimental opera, “Stop the Virgens,” at New York’s St. Ann’s Warehouse, and collaborated with fashion house KENZO and artists like David Lynch and Nine Inch Nails.

She also collaborated with Trent Reznor for the “Immigrant Song,” a song that appeared on the soundtrack for “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.”

Karen O - The Moon Song

Did you know? Karen O also contributed to the film soundtracks for, Where The Wild Things Are (2009) and Her (2013)

37. The Pocket Queen

Genre: Multigenre

Tailor Gordon’s (The Pocket Queen) interest in playing the drums started with a small fisher price set at the age of two, drumming along to Earth, Wind & Fire, Toto, and Daryl Coley. At seven years old she was already playing in front of audiences at church on Sundays, it wasn’t until 17that she would start taking her musical skills to the next level by auditioning at Berklee College of Music and earning a scholarship.

After graduating from Berklee and already making an online presence, Taylor moved to Los Angeles and started playing with artists like Michelle Williams, Robert Glasper, and Stevie Wonder. Her online presence also allowed her to meet Derek Dixie, Beyonce’s musical director, who asked her to play on the 50th Super Bowl halftime show.

Colors feat. Black Pumas, Slash, The Pocket Queen | Playing For Change

Did you know? The Pocket Queen played with Playing For Change and The Black Pumas for a new version of “Colors,” featured in our online event Peace Through Music.

38. Sherieta Lewis

Genre: Reggae

Sherieta is a singer/songwriter and vocal arranger from Kingston, Jamaica. Although she has only recently launched her solo musical career, she is no stranger to the reggae music industry, penning lyrics for artists such as Etana, Luciano, Marica Griffiths, and Jah Cure to name a few, and has also done background vocals for the likes of Tarrus Riley, Diana King, Duane Stephenson and a host of other reggae music greats. Sherieta has released a number of her singles, namely “In the name of Love,” “Lies,” “Reggae is Life,” all receiving positive responses and quite a bit of airplay across the world.

"Music is my life. It's what I do best and I love it with all my heart" is what Sherieta says when asked, "Why music?" With an unbreakable commitment to spreading positive messages through powerful lyrics and strong and convincing vocals, Sherieta has set out to take the world by storm.

Many Rivers To Cross | Playing For Change Band | Live in Dubai

Did you know? Sherieta Lewis has featured in many Playing For Change Songs Around The World, like “Colors”, “Mama Africa” and our most recent episode of Mark’s Park: World Music Night.

39. Alice Tan Ridley

Genre: Soul/blues/funk

Alice’s charismatic stage presence stretches well beyond her vocal abilities, making enamored crowds fall in love with her personality as she shares stories of her journey. Like Etta James, Diana Ross, and Tina Turner, she is a long-lasting “Goddess of Soul,” with enough personality, talent, and a touch of funk to prove to be an unforgettable performer. As Howie Mandel said to Alice after her “At Last” cover: “you deserve to be heard by much more than everyone on the train.”

Alice Tan Ridley performing “At Last” (Etta James)

Alice was born in Georgia into a musically talented family of nine siblings, most of whom have become artists. She has been captivating audiences since she was three years old. After moving to New York in 1971, raising a family, and teaching handicapped children in the NYC school system, Alice focused upon her singing career in 1992 when she began singing full time in the New York City subway stations – Union Square, 34th Street, and the famous 42nd Street Times Square station. Audiences gathered daily as Alice covered many songs such as “I Will Always Love You,” “I Will Survive,” “Billy Jean,” “My Heart Will Go On,” and other familiar favorites. Her legendary subway performances – often stopping people dead in their tracks and rocking the station – resulted in a flurry of YouTube videos, which continue to attract millions of viewers.

Listen to Alice’s powerful vocals in this rendition of Sam Cooke’s classic “Bring It On Home To Me”.

Did you know? In just a few short minutes on America’s Got Talent, Alice Tan Ridley boldly made herself known to the world when her phenomenal rendition of the Etta James classic, “At Last,” wowed the judges, blew away the audience, and caused the entire nation to take notice.

40. Lea Salonga

Genre: Musical

Lea Salonga is renowned across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. In her career as a singer and actress, she participated in numerous roles in broadway musicals like Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. She has also starred in the musical drama Yellow Rose and the animated series Centaurworld.

Lea Salonga - On My Own (Les Misérables)

Did you know? Lea has provided her voice for numerous characters such as Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan from Mulan, giving her the title of a “Disney Legend.”

41. Corinne Bailey Rae

Genre: R&B/jazz

From Leeds, England, singer/songwriter/musician Corinne Bailey Rae shot to stardom with her self-titled #1 UK debut album in 2006, featuring the global hits “Put Your Records On“ and “Like A Star.”

Bailey Rae has received two Grammy Awards, two MOBOS, alongside multiple nominations including BRIT and BET Awards. She was awarded her first Grammy in 2008 for Album Of The Year when featured on Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. Her second album, The Sea (2010) was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. The subsequent EP, Is This Love garnered a Grammy for Best R&B Performance.

Bailey Rae returned in 2016 with “boundary-defying, epic music” (NPR) for her third studio album, The Heart Speaks In Whispers, also declared “the best R&B of 2016” (The Guardian). The album featured the stunning "Green Aphrodisiac" named “10 best R&B songs of 2016” (Billboard) and was selected by President Obama for his summer playlist. The new songs soared in her live performances as Bailey Rae embarked on a worldwide tour, including festivals and a special guest appearance for Stevie Wonder’s BST Hyde Park London concert. Touring highlights from 2017 include New Orleans Jazz Fest, Playboy Jazz Fest (Hollywood Bowl), Singapore Jazz Fest, and Glastonbury.

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay feat. Jack Johnson | Otis Redding 50th Anniversary

Did you know? We met Corinne through our friends at the Otis Redding Foundation who enlisted her to be a part of our 50th-anniversary version of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" Song Around The World. We filmed her on a houseboat in Marina del Rey, California, and were in awe of her smooth vocals which flowed so beautifully with the sounds of nature all around us.

42. Tal Wilkenfeld

Genre: Rock/alternative

Tal Wilkenfeld is an Australian singer, songwriter, bassist, and guitarist who began her musical journey when she first picked up a guitar at 14. Immigrating to the United States at the age of 16, Tal studied electric guitar before switching to the electric bass and graduating from the Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music in 2004.

After graduating, Tal moved to New York City and began making a name for herself in the New York Jazz club scene. It was during this time that she met members of The Allman Brothers Band who invited her to sit in at their show at the Beacon Theater—her first time on a large stage. This began her professional career as a musician and she went on to tour and perform with the likes of Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Gov't Mule, Ivan Neville, Robben Ford, The Roots, Prince, Steven Tyler, Sting, H.E.R, Brandi Carlile, and Demi Lovato, to name a few. She's also recorded on projects with Herbie Hancock, Ringo Starr, Jackson Browne, Pharrell, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, and more.

As an artist in her own right, Tal has released her debut bass-led album Transformation in 2007—which landed her Chick Correa's Australia tour. And her debut vocal album Love Remains was released in 2019 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts in the first week of its release. Tal has received several accolades and awards, including being voted "The Year's Most Exciting New Player" by Bass Player magazine's readers' choice poll in 2008, awarded Bass Player Magazine's "Young Gun Award" in 2013, and receiving the "Vision” award at the eighth annual She Rocks Awards in 2020.

Tal Wilkenfeld - "Killing Me" Opening for The Who at TD Garden

Did you know? We had the amazing opportunity to record Tal for one of our member-exclusive Songs Around The World, “Oye Como Va.”

43. Nattali Rize

Genre: Reggae

Ask her where she comes from and she’ll tell you “All directions.” It’s an apt description of a singer who defies boundaries; culturally, musically, and spiritually. The Nattali Rize debut album, Rebel Frequency, hit the streets in March 2017 to high acclaim, impacting worldwide charts & hearts!

As a member of the Australian/Jamaican band, Blue King Brown, the band is known for their epic, high-energy, thought-provoking, and uplifting live performances, with a heavy global tour schedule, the band delivers a raw energy and vibe, channeling a deep reggae influence in a New Era Style. But this is more than genre labels. The music, message & intention transcends. (pending to edit)

Nattali Rize - Warriors (Live Acoustic) | Sugarshack Sessions

Did you know? Nattali Rize participated in one of our Songs Around The World, “Rasta Children” along with Brushy One String and many other reggae musicians.

44. Roselyn Williams

Genre: Reggae

Every now and then you hear a voice that penetrates your very soul, the kind of voice you would just love to hear singing your favorite love song or passionately championing your greatest concern: Roselyn Williams has such a voice.

Growing up as the youngest of nine siblings, Roselyn Williams had to sing, dance and play music with her siblings to survive. She was affectionately called “Mic Belly” because even at such a young age you could hear the power in her voice. Her journey took her to The Ashe Ensemble and later singing backgrounds with Damian Marley, Nas, Third World, Beres Hammond, and a host of other musical greats.

Stand By Me | PFC Band feat. Clarence Bekker

Did you know? Roselyn has amazed us with her talent numerous times singing backgrounds in our Song Around The World, “Mama Africa” and Mark’s Park EP 8: World Night Music.

45. Rising Appalachia

Genre: Reggae

Leah Song and Chloe Smith, founding sisters of Rising Appalachia, have long witnessed themselves – by both choice and coincidence – carrying harmony into settings of upheaval and discord. Soon after their eponymous release in 2006, the siblings moved to New Orleans to assist in rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina, where they gained not only a deeper sense of connection to the roots of American music, but also an abiding sense of purpose as musicians.

The band, which has now grown to include musicians David Brown on upright bass and baritone guitar, and Biko Casini on world percussion, has settled into its stride and purpose through creating original music with a mission rooted in the traditions of folk songs, storytelling, and grassroots activism. The band manages to meld traditions and genres the same way Leah and Chloe blend their voices; it’s casual, beguiling, and effortlessly singular. Their persuasive and powerful new genre of acoustic folk melds old-time music with a thick rhythm section, southern soul, West African instrumentation, and an occasional Colombian love song. The diverse influences converge through the voices of Leah and Chloe, which go together as only two siblings’ can.

Rising Appalachia - Resilient

Both onstage and off, Rising Appalachia exudes a sense of rootedness, playful exploration, and inspired action. Their sound and message suggest that voices and traditions brought together through song, may be one of the saving graces to a world in distress. In a time when the fabric of community and culture often appear to be unraveling, their interweaving of music and mission, old traditions with new interpretations, creates an atmosphere of contagious hope and bliss.

Did you know? We had the opportunity to collaborate with Leah and Chloe in our Song Around The World “Seeds of Freedom.”

Seeds of Freedom feat. Manu Chao | Songs Around The World

Read Parts 1 and 2

Do you agree with our list? Which other musicians would you like us to talk about? Let us know in the comment section of our social media platforms!

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