Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories with Ineza

As part of Black History Month, Ineza and the Alex Webb Trio celebrate the remarkable female songwriters of jazz, from Billie Holiday and Abbey Lincoln to Norma Winstone, Jazzmeia Horn and Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Jazz Swing

A Black History Month celebration of the women who wrote jazz history

As part of Black History Month, dynamic Rwandan-Belgian vocalist Ineza presents Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories, a celebration of the remarkable women who shaped jazz not only as performers, but as songwriters.

Joined by Alex Webb on piano, Charlie Pyne on bass and Sophie Alloway on drums, Ineza explores music written by some of jazz’s most distinctive female voices, including Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, Norma Winstone, Jazzmeia Horn, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Rachelle Ferrell.

Expect fresh interpretations of Billie Holiday’s Tell Me More, Peggy Lee’s It’s a Good Day, Abbey Lincoln’s Throw It Away and Betty Carter’s Tight, alongside Fran Landesman’s classic lyric Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most and contemporary repertoire that carries this rich songwriting tradition forward.

The project grew into Ineza’s acclaimed 2024 album Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories, recorded with Alex Webb & The Copasetics and praised for bringing a fresh perspective to a repertoire spanning generations of female jazz writing.

“Immensely enjoyable … effortlessly combines melodic beauty with emotional depth.” — Jazzwise ★★★★

About Ineza

Rwandan-born and raised in Belgium, Ineza is a fast-rising jazz vocalist and songwriter making her mark on the UK jazz scene. A graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Maastricht Conservatoire in the Netherlands, she has developed a rich, expressive vocal style rooted in soulful storytelling and a deep connection to the jazz tradition.

Now based in London, Ineza has performed at leading jazz venues across the capital as well as internationally at Jazzahead in Germany and Shambala Festival. Her original EPs Where Are You From and Who Am I have received support from BBC Introducing, Bandcamp, Fresh on the Net, Women in Jazz Media and Jazz in Europe.

Her versatility has led to collaborations and performances with Tom Odell, Down for the Count Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as appearances alongside Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra and Michelle David & The True Tones. She is also a member of the acclaimed London Vocal Project and was one of just eight artists selected for LEAP, the artist development programme run by Serious.

Her work has drawn praise from across the jazz world, with Cerys Matthews describing her as “a musician that brings something distinct, remarkable and exciting.”