Germaine Bazzle was a talented jazz artist of the 20th century.  She was one of the few prominent female jazz artists during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  This time period in US history was dominated by men; especially in the jazz world.  Bazzle’s passion for music never let fear get in the way of doing what she loved.  Although Bazzle was a legend in New Orleans, she never achieved the national or international recognition that she deserved.
    Germaine Potter Bazzle was born on March 28th, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Music was introduced to Bazzle from a very early stage.  Both of her parents (including her aunt and uncle) were talented pianists and wanted to music to play a role in their daughter’s life as well.  Germaine would relax after dinner at night and listen to her father play, “Sweet Sue,” one of Germaine’s childhood favorites.  Bazzle’s mother insisted she take piano lessons at the age of nine.  She greatly enjoyed the lessons, which fostered a greater appreciation of music for Bazzle.
    The musical city of New Orleans greatly inspired Bazzle and enhanced her interest in wanting to become an artist.  She used to attend Mardi Gras with her parents, whom were in the marching club.  She would march with her parents and feel the rhythm throughout her body.  When asked about the parade in an interview with Monk Rowe she stated, “I grew up with that and it was understood that is a part of you, this is a part of what we do, and you have to be aware of it.”  It was not only her home or Mardi Gras where Bazzle heard the sounds of music.  She grew up in a neighborhood in which it seemed like practically everyone played music.  Growing up in an environment in which everyone was playing music all the time definitely had an impact on Bazzle’s devotion to jazz.
    After completing her studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, Bazzle moved on to her passion of teaching music.  Although she loved to play music, what truly inspired her was teaching other people how to play. She taught young girls in choir and music appreciation at Xavier preparatory school and continued to stay close to home. Bazzle truly believed that teaching was showing that you really knew what you were talking about.  If you can take something and make someone else understand it—that is a beautiful thing.  Bazzle continued to play gigs and sing in church on Sundays throughout her teaching career. Throughout her 12 years of teaching, Bazzle not only taught her students musical skills but also instilled a set a set of morals that she believed her children should live by. 
    Bazzle was a great talent and passion for teaching added to her all around devotion to everything music.  Her repertoire includes classic jazz, American popular songs, show tunes, and the music of Duke Ellington.  Her discography is limited and she appears mostly in compilations with many jazz greats and local legends.  The album “Standing Ovation” was released under her own name, and she led her own band, “Germaine Bazzle and Friends.”  In 2007, she was part of the faculty at Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, along with other Crescent City music icons.  
    At 84 years old, Bazzle has stopped performing and teaching for the most part.  Her life has been a wild ride, but undoubtedly a ride filled with music. Bazzle will always be remembered in New Orleans as a jazz legend. And although she never achieved national recognition, which she probably deserved, that did not matter to her.  What mattered to her were her passion for music and her passion for teaching the youth to love music as well.  That was her goal, and without a doubt she achieved it.

Attached is a transcript of an interview between Germaine Bazzle & Monk Rowe.