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Our 170 members: 81 musicians,
11 students, 35 men and two venues welcome newest members: Melton Mustafa, Jr. and Andrew E. Singer. Our members are from five countries: U.S., Angola, Holland, Sweden and Italy. Thanks to our board members for their continued support. Refer your friends for membership? Simply suggest that they support women musicians! Members, pay current dues!

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Welcome our Venue Members

AMAZING MUSICWOMEN

CALL IN NUMBER: (714) 364-4714

Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 4 - 4:30 p.m

Diva JC interviews Rita Wilburn

Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 4-4:30 p.m.

Sharon Marie Cline interview

CALL IN NUMBER: (714) 364-4714

WHO ARE YOU?

UPCOMING EVENTS

Click images to enlarge

Where is Rick DellaRatta, now?

WEATHER

It's March 1 and it's 85 degrees!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT


Kathy Yolanda Rice's new website


Congratulations to Mimi Johnson for making her theatrical debut in Atlanta in "They Rose Above It All" by written by VJ Washington. Tune in to our interview with VJ on March 9, 2012

The Diva and Daughter Experience

DUO Magazine's February 2012 Newsletter - SuiteDreamInc.com - Speaking Hands Organization

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WHO ARE YOU?

  • ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS!!!

  • GOT HEALTH INSURANCE?

  • GOT A PENSION?

Melody Cole says, "Join the American Federation of Musicians and start your retirement account, today! In only five years you will be vested in a fund that pays out the highest return in the land." Read these pages from the Musician's Union Handbook

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Need more info? Email Melody

South Florida Musicians Asso - Local 655
American Federation of Musicians
404 SE 15 Street (Rear)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-527-4458 or 888-655-gigs
Fax: 954-467-1011
Office: info@afm655.org
Executive Board: board@afm655.org
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Friday by appointment

Tues., March 20, 2012 @ 4 - 4:30 p.m.

Diva JC interviews Harald of Satchmo

Call in number (858) 769-4949

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WHO ARE YOU?

March is Women's History Month!

Our 5th Anniversary!!!

is March 15, 2012.  We've had five years of successful programming that has paid thousands of dollars to women musicians and men who support them!

Last month was especially wonderful for me, musically and personally.  I had several great gigs, particularly with the Amazing Musicwomen Ensemble that performed at the Arts Garage and is invited back March 31, by popular demand!!!

Of 30 songs submitted to Donne in Musica for Donne in Jazz 2012,my gospel song”The Glory Road"  was chosen. WIJSF is an International Honor Chair Committee Member of Donne in Musica. This is such an honor!

My paper "Conscious Inclusion of Women Musicians" was accepted to be published and presented at the British & American Studies (BAS) 2012 Conference May 17-19, 2012, in Timisoara, Romania. As a Doctoral candidate at Northcentral University, in my first year, being published in a foreign country can lead to greater things for WIJSF and for me! You will be able to donate to my travel fund here: www.usaprojects.org/user/joancartwright7165

Our new series Jazz @ MCC at the Midtown Commerce Center, 1033 Sistrunk Blvd. , Fort Lauderdale , with Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. begins Saturday, April 21, 2012, tickets are $30 and $35 at www.jazz-mcc-series.eventbrite.com. See the EVENTS page for programs in March, as we celebrate our 5th Anniversary! MANY THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS!

Most importantly, we would like to welcome our two venue members - Satchmo Blues Bar owned by Harald Neuweg and Bienes Center for the Performing Arts of St. Thomas Aquinas High School directed by Joe Basi. We are thrilled to have these two venues where we will be presenting concerts in the ensuing months and years!

Organized by Liz Sharp, DIVAS @ SATCMO on Sunday, February 26, was a SMASH HIT!

TWO FABULOUS MUSICWOMEN


Denise Johnson - Drummer

Touring with a Hip Hop artist named YoGotti. Denise never played on a hip-hop gig but she's already hearing from endorsement drum companies that will see her play on tour, since YoGotti is a major player.  "Hopefully, after this tour, I can get a funk/jazz gig with a major," says Denise, who will be in Memphis for three weeks of rehearsals and gigs in Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Ohio, Philly, Reno NV, LA, NY, Boston. It's his Spring Tour so they will be in a lot of the major cities. "This is my first time being on tour for a 2 1/2 month run but it should be a cool experience. I'm sure I'll learn a lot in the process.

Mzuri Moyo - NY Times Article

Inspired by the life of civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer, singer Mzuri Moyo brings her story Uptown. Read more here

Volume I and II are now available.

Go to these links and, if you're a member of WordPress, leave your comments.

FUNDRAISING

We need your continued support. Please pay your current dues!

Our member Caryn Danzy from Bayshore, Long Island has organized a site to help us raise funds. Click on the banner below and see if you see something that interests you.

2011-2012 BOARD MEMBERS

UPCOMING EVENTS

M E D I A   B L I T Z

On Sunday, March 11 @ 8 to Midnight, Joan Cartwright will be the guest of WLRN Host Ted Grossman.

kevin_willis_web.jpgWOMEN IN JAZZ, PARKWAY MIDDLE JAZZ BAND ELECTRIFY 

Written by Denise Grant for the South Florida Times

[February 9, 2012 - FORT LAUDERDALE] A seed sown is a harvest destined to be reaped, and Women in Jazz South Florida is positioned to reap greater success as the organization pursues it purpose of educating, entertaining and stabilizing our community through the brilliance and eloquence of jazz music.

On Jan. 25 at The Broward Cultural Center, middle school students and spectators watched in excitement and amazement, captivated by an array of finger-snapping jazz sounds at an event with the theme, “From Bebop, To Doo Woop, To Hip Hop.”

The riveting music was composed and performed by jazz musicians who included the Parkway Middle School Jazz Band, and Joan Cartwright, Women in Jazz’s founder and executive director. 

Other noted musicians among the lineup of talented artists included Dr. Malcolm Black, 20-year veteran leader of the Broward College Jazz Band and the highlighted arranger of the event; Jus’ Cynthia, composer and performer; Robin Avery and Paul Banman, composers of Light the Way; Arthur James Wilson, former Sam & Dave band director; and Melton Mustafa Jr., band director and maestro of Parkway Middle School.

Women in Jazz South Florida is a nonprofit organization, not limited to women musicians, that appreciates and celebrates the contribution of all who treasure jazz music.

YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE

The organization’s latest event was colorful, exciting and inspiring, as the Parkway Middle School Band collaborated with seasoned musicians to deliver their best renditions of songs composed by legendary jazz greats.

Thanks to Andrew E. Singer for the wonderful video of Parkway Middle School Jazz Band with Community Composers!

Through the performances spectacular in sound and rhythm, the audience became engaged by the first song, Countin' on the Count, composed by Cartwright. The youths played as professionals, not missing a note. Young girls dressed in red-sequined tops and black bottoms graced the audience with jazz-worthy voices, their performance delightful and enthusiastic throughout.

The atmosphere was set for celebration and the audience was truly receptive as schoolchildren watched their peers in admiration. Black-and-white images of prominent jazz musicians flashed across a screen as the band played seamlessly. It was an honorable merging of old with new, paying homage to the legends who paved the way. Each song performed was enjoyable and inspirational, as students of varied cultural backgrounds played with one accord conveying one message: music, jazz music. 

Among several highlight moments that thrilled the audience, Cartwright, a musician who exemplifies excellence in her artistry, wowed observers with her ability to combine rap beats and lingo with jazz music in her well known song, Talkin’ that Jazz. The audience engaged in a “call and response” tribute to the legend as she pumped her fist, moved her hips and talked a lot of jazz. 

Additionally, many were clearly surprised by talented 17-year-old Kevin Willis’ renditions of Rogers’ and Hart’s Blue Moon, and Why Do Fools Fall In Love, written by Frankie Lyman. Willis’ voice was remarkably trained and mature, and his peers cheered in amazement as the young aspiring musician commanded the stage. What inspires his ability to sing with such confidence?

“I have been singing since I was a child,” Willis said. “I discovered my voice by accident, as I sang a song heard on the radio and my aunt thought that I was the radio.” As he enters college next year, he said, he will pursue business and music to further his career and his love of music and performing.

The event concluded with the soothing sounds of Robin Avery and Paul Banman, and their song of encouragement, a beckoning call for a greater tomorrow, entitled Light the Way. 

COMBINED SUCCESS

Women in Jazz South Florida’s vision of combining established jazz musicians with youths who appreciate the art was a success. The performances were a respectable tribute to jazz music. Cartwright brilliantly entertained, while expanding the minds of each child who participated and/or watched the performance.

“Building peace through the arts,” she said, is her mission.”  

Music is the soul of our community as it is the universal language, Cartwright added, therefore, we can acquire peace and harmony through music. 

For more information visit wijsf.com
Photo: Courtesy of Lynn Brown
KEVIN WILLIS: His peers marveled at his mature voice on ‘Blue Moon and ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love.’

NOTE: Kevin Willis, Denise Grant and Lynn Brown are now members of Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.!

www.wijsf.org  |  WHO WE ARE  |  All Newsletters

Coming in 2013 - www.saaff.net

WHAT WE DO: [See HERSTORY and JAZZWOMEN DIRECTORY]

Our membership is increasing steadily as we to submit grant proposals for funding.  COMMUNITY MUSICWOMEN performed at four senior centers in Miami Beach, through a grant from Miami Beach Gala Grants.

"Keep your dream close to your heart!" ~ Diva JC

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Joan Cartwright, Executive Director
Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.
2801 S. Oakland Forest Drive #103, Oakland Park, FL 33309
954-740-3398 | info@wijsf.org[Send email to subscribe]

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