Celebrating 7 years of Musical Service!

As of April 1, 2014, we have 264 members, 139 musicians!  Join us, today!

Welcome new members: Gerrianne Brizan, Ellen Seeling, Alvin Carter-bey, and Toni Byrd

Dear WIJSF Members, March was a wonderful month, especially for Women in Music! Personally, I had a great time in Florida with Jus’ Cynthia, who staged her Tribute to Nina Simone, featuring our President Lorna Lesperance as the narrator.  Sally Smith accompanied them on piano, along with drummer David Nuby and bassist Ploomie.  The icing on the cake was the group Harmonies of Hope, five young vocalists who delighted the packed house at Old Dillard Museum in Fort Lauderdale, on Thursday, March 20.  On Saturday, March 22nd, we had our 7th Anniversary party at the home of our delightful hostess Dee McCord Ochoa in Sunrise, FL.  About 20 people attended and the only downside was that I had to run out to a gig for the Saint Laurence Shelter for the Homeless, which I did with Lyn Moore and her husband, drummer Sandy Rubin.  The upside was that we were joined by Debbie Pierce Taft on saxophone for the first set! Then, on Sunday, March 23rd, Lyn, Sandy, bassist Sergio Caiazzo, and I were featured on the Many Cultures One People program presented by Jewish Family Services of Broward County at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.  We had a great time. Enjoy the video below with highlights of these four events.  In only five days, I had a whirlwind, plus I got to spend time with my father (94) and his dear wife Fran (48)! Yaaaaaah!

Meanwhile, back in the ATL, I’m working on my 11th PhD course (of 18) and two important interviews popped up.  First, see the video I made of an interview on KCBS with trumpeter Ellen Seeling.   Then, see the video of my interview by Al Carter-bey on WHPK. Both Ellen and I are discussing the rally staged in San Francisco on March 22nd to protest the all-male Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis, who makes $1.5 million per year and pays his 15 band members $100,000 per year, through public funding from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).  Since 1986, NOT ONE FEMALE has been hired in this band and you and I are paying for the band to operate.  This is a travesty and Ellen Seeling is on the front line bringing awareness about this issue.

Watch this playlist of two very important videos

Then, to add fuel to the fire, I’ve been nominated for two awards and I’m to be honored with the Lady Jazz Master Award by Black Women in Jazz, at the Rialto Center for the Arts, here in Atlanta.  I did some digging and learned that of 134 NEA Jazz Masters, only 15 women or 11% have received that honor and the $25,000 honorarium that also comes out of tax payers pockets.  So, to counteract this inequity, I’m suggesting to each of you to NOMINATE A WOMAN MUSICIAN for the NEA JAZZ MASTER AWARD, now!!!