The Group: A Rare All-Female Jazz Ensemble In 1977, Marian McPartland, a pioneering jazz pianist and advocate for women in jazz, formed a unique all-female group with: Dottie Dodgion on drums Mary Osborne on guitar Vi Redd on alto saxophone Lynn Milano on bass That same year, they recorded the album NOW’S THE TIME, a vibrant collection that showcases their immense talents and camaraderie. This group was extraordinary ; not just because of their skill, but because all-female jazz ensembles were incredibly rare at the time.