My mixtape: Louise Paley’s 10 women in jazz you need to hear

In 2018, Paley and Nina Fine co-founded Women in Jazz, an organisation and community to support and champion women performers in an artform and industry dominated by men, while also inspiring the next generation of female jazz talent.

More than seven years on, the Women in Jazz community has grown to include over 10,500 people; from singer-songwriters to producers, instrumentalists to composers. And in March 2026 Women in Jazz joinED us at the Southbank Centre for two events as part of our 2026 Montreux Jazz Festival Residency; a showcase of up and coming talent led by Jazz vocalist Lucy-Anne Daniels, and a special in-conversation with Celeste speaking to music journalist Emma Warren.

Ahead of those events, and to offer a flavour of what Women in Jazz represents, Paley kindly put together this special ten-track playlist of contemporary jazz women that you need to hear. Listen to the playlist, and then discover Paley’s reasons for each artist’s inclusion below.

Laura Jurd – ‘Step Up To The Altar’

I love how this track feels both grounded and searching at the same time. There’s a quiet bravery in the way Jurd builds tension – it never rushes, it just trusts the listener. It feels ceremonial, but deeply human.

anaiis – ‘My World (beyond)’

This track always pulls me in emotionally. It feels intimate, almost like being let into someone’s inner monologue. Anaiis has this ability to make vulnerability feel powerful rather than fragile, which I always find so compelling.

Dora Morelenbaum – ‘Lua Comanche’

There’s something effortlessly transportive about this track. It feels light and expansive, like it’s floating somewhere between jazz, Brazilian song and pure atmosphere.

Rosa Brunello – ‘Uno Punto Uno’

‘Uno Punto Uno’ is a magical tune. I love how bold and textural it is. It feels playful but also incredibly intentional, like every sound choice is part of a bigger conversation. There’s a real sense of movement and curiosity in the way Brunello approaches composition which I love.

Momoko Gill – ‘2close2farr’

This track feels quietly magnetic. It sits in that space between closeness and distance that’s emotionally very real. I love how understated it is – nothing is overplayed, but everything feels deeply felt.

Ana Frango Elétrico – ‘Dela’

I love this track so much! It’s quirky, confident and full of character, and still rooted in really strong songwriting. Ana has such a playful way of bending genres without it ever feeling forced.

Marysia Osu – ‘care to care (feat. Plumm)’

The collaboration with Plumm works so beautifully here – it feels like a shared emotional space rather than two voices competing. This track feels tender and generous in the best way possible. There’s a softness to it that invites you to slow down and really listen.

Arooj Aftab – ‘Mohabbat’

‘Mohabbat’ always stops me in my tracks. It’s spacious, haunting and deeply emotional without being overt. Aftab has this incredible ability to hold silence and space – the restraint is what makes it so powerful!

Akua Naru – ‘The Block’

I love the grounding force of this tune. Naru’s voice feels rooted, assured and political without being didactic. It’s storytelling that carries weight, history and presence all at the same time.

Isabel – ‘Delusional’

There’s something refreshingly raw about this track. It’s honest, slightly unfiltered and emotionally direct – like a thought spoken out loud before it’s been over-polished. I really love the sense of immediacy with Isabel’s music.