20th-century American women composers

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. After achieving success as a songwriter for other artists, Parton's debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released in 1967, commencing a career spanning 60 years and 50 studio albums. Referred to as the "Queen of Country", Parton is one of the most-honored female country performers in history and has received various accolades, including eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards including an humanitarian honorary Oscar win in 2025, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.

American singer-songwriter and pianist

American actress and singer

American country singer (1932–1963)

Christa Päffgen (; 16 October 1938 – 18 July 1988), known by her stage name Nico, was a German singer, songwriter, actress and model.

American singer (1920–2002)

American artist and musician (born 1947)

American composer and electronic musician (born 1939)

American singer (born 1939)

American jazz composer, pianist, organist and bandleader (1936–2023)

American jazz pianist and composer (1910–1981)

American jazz musician

American composer and pianist

American singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter

American singer and songwriter (1947–1997)

American jazz singer, recording artist, songwriter (1929–1998)

American singer-songwriter

American musician (born 1942)

American mezzo-soprano and composer

American film and television composer (1945–2006)

American composer and musician (1932–2016)

Soviet-Russian-born American classical composer and pianist

American composer (1887-1953)

French-born American television presenter, singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author

American jazz musician (1898-1971)

American jazz trombonist, musical arranger, and composer (1926–1999)

American composer (1901-1953)

American jazz harpist (1932-1986)

American composer, screenwriter, children's writer (1931–2014)

Iraqi-American musician

American composer

American composer and installation artist (1938–2009)

American actress

Chinese-American composer and violinist

American composer

American author, singer, dancer, actress, and choreographer (1909–1998)

American composer and pianist (1913–1972)

American composer (born 1958)

American composer

American songwriter, multi-media artist, collector, and art director (1947-2019)

American composer and lyricist (1906–1993)

Soviet and Russian composer

American composer and writer (1896–1977)

American composer of popular and classical music (1897–1993)

American composer (1882–1955)

American composer

American musical artist and actress (born 1963)

American singer and composer (born 1947)

Japanese composer

American pianist and composer (1931–1967)

American singer, bandleader and composer

American composer

American lyricist and songwriter (1913-1991)

composer

American musician (1901–1995)

American musician (1923–2006)

American composer

American composer (1913-2000)

American composer