Welcome to Women in Jazz Organization
We Are WIJO
Women In Jazz Organization intends to help level the playing field in Jazz, so that women and non-binary people have equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to Jazz, leading to an improved and more rich, diverse, and successful art form.
WIJO is committed to honoring Black Americans as the creators of Jazz.
Empowerment
Personal Development
Learning Space
Sharing Resources
Access to Wellness Services
Community
Support Group
Networking
Connectivity Tool
Outreach Programs & Mentorship
Activism
Dismantle barriers and inequities
Create Opportunities for Members to perform, work, learn, and participate in Jazz
Provide an established voice to represent women & non-binary people in Jazz
WIJO MENTORS 2025: Mentee Applications Now Open
Apply by November 20, 2024 11:59pm EST!
WIJO Mentors is a program designed to connect and enrich the community of women and non-binary people in Jazz. The program provides strong role models to up-and-coming jazz musicians and composers in a safe and supportive environment, and provides selected Mentees with the opportunity to help shape the future of their art form. . Selected Mentee participants will meet with professionals from around the world in both one-on-one and community settings to receive guidance on musical, career, and interpersonal skills. Participants will have a once in a lifetime experience to build new relationships with established musicians/composers and with their fellow Mentees. WIJO Mentors is interested in mentees who show strong artistic vision, a commitment to furthering their musical and professional growth in the area of jazz, and demonstrate potential to support and contribute to the community of women and non-binary people in jazz. WIJO Mentors 2024-2025 will run January 3 through August 4, 2025 and is a no-cost program for all selected participants.
Past Projects
WIJO Mentors Program
WIJO Mentors completed its second semester!
WIJO completed its second full semester of the WIJO MENTORS program, where professional jazz musicians from WIJO are paired with selected young women and non binary people in jazz through an application process, to provide mentoring for college level jazz musicians. WIJO members are working on a volunteer basis. The mentorship lasts one semester.
Mentors offer their guidance and support in a one-on-one setting, offering young musicians in the field at least one private lesson, discussions, and professional feedback on their applications. WIJO Mentors Participants are also invited to participate in a special WIJO Mentors event, to introduce them to the WIJO community at large.
Students can apply as many semesters as they like. More information about the application process is available on the Mentors page.
WIJO Celebrates International Women's Day @ UNIS with WIJO Concert
WIJO partnered with United Nations International School to present a Student Masterclass with renowned drummer and WIJO Member Allison Miller, as well as an evening concert featuring four WIJO Members: Allison, Carmen Staaf, Nadje Noordhuis and Noriko Ueda. Special thanks to Allegra Levy and family for organizing this event!
WIJO has hosted 3 nights of WKCR's "Musician's Show," featuring specially curated playlists of music exclusively from WIJO / Women In Jazz Organization members!
MARCH 27, 2019 - WIJO Member Lisa Parrott and Leaders Aubrey Johnson & Roxy Coss hosted our 3rd WIJO on WKCR Radio Show, continuing the discussion on our recent projects!
DECEMBER 5, 2018 - WIJO Founder Roxy Coss and WIJO Member Marta Sanchez hosted, along with WIJO Leader Tahira Clayton, discussing the organization and recent WIJO projects.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 - WIJO Founder Roxy Coss and WIJO Member Marta Sanchez hosted, introducig the organization and musicians.
WIJO Holiday Celebration & Member Jam Session
We had a blast celebrating another year at the Kitano in NYC with a fantastic group of WIJO members and supporters. The Jam feautred dozens of world-class jazz musicians, all members of WIJO. The session was led by our Founder, Roxy Coss, featuring our house rhythm section, ArcoIris Sandoval, Jeong Lim Yang, and Shirazette Tinnin. Special thanks to Iris Ornig for organizing this event! We hope to see you at our next jam!
NYC Winter JazzFest / Jazz Talks
JAZZ AND GENDER: FINDING SOLIDARITY With Toshi Reagon, Roxy Coss, Vanessa Reed, Imani Uzuri, Fay Victor, John Murph, and co-moderated by Sarah Elizabeth Charles and Nate Chinen
Event Description:Winter Jazzfest presents: What does it mean to be an ally in the jazz community, at this point in time? Co-moderated by vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles and critic Nate Chinen, the panel included artist representatives from the We Have Voice collective and the Women in Jazz Organization, Keychange Founder Vanessa Reed — as well as musicians seeking to further develop and exist as allies in the conversation around gender relations and identify.
Questions about getting started? Drop us a line to find out more!
Contact us to find out more about what WIJO is doing, and how you can become a WIJO member or supporter today!
WIJO supports the We Have Voice Code of Conduct
