About WIJO
Mission Statement
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.
Who We Are
Women In Jazz Organization is an arts non-profit with over 500 professional Jazz Musicians and Composers who identify as Women or Gender Non-Binary. Largely a New York City-based organization, with connections to other individuals and groups nationally and internationally.
History of WIJO
Women in Jazz Organization was founded by NYC Saxophonist Roxy Coss, to address many of the issues that Women and Non-Binary people in Jazz are facing on a daily basis. Roxy joined forces with Vocalist Aubrey Johnson to plan WIJO's very first "Monthly Meeting". The meeting was held at the Local 802 Musician's Union in NYC on July 18, 2017, with 12 women in attendance, including WIJO Vice-President Tahira Clayton and Secretary Allegra Levy. Former Leadership also includes Sirintip (Tippan) Phasuk. WIJO now has grown to include over 500 members, in addition to hosting our yearly 20 selected mentees in the WIJO Mentors program.
WIJO AIMS TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE IN JAZZ THROUGH FOCUSING OUR WORK ON THREE MAIN GOALS:
- - To empower individuals in the organization
- - To foster inclusivity, solidarity, and strengthen the intersectional community of women and non-binary people in Jazz
- - To address inequalities in Jazz culture and on the Jazz scene through activism
What are the problems?
There is a lack of representation of women and non-binary people in the Jazz world
Women and non-binary people in Jazz face discrimination
Women and non-binary people in Jazz experience harassment, assault, abuse and violence, as well as more subtle oppression
Women and non-binary people in Jazz don’t receive the same opportunities as men do
Women and non-binary people in Jazz don’t have the same community available to them that men do
What are the solutions?
Empowerment/personal development/learning space/resources
Community building/support group/network & connectivity tool
Outreach programs & mentorship
Social justice/advocacy/action for change; dismantling barriers and inequities in Jazz
Creating more opportunities for members to perform, work, learn, and participate in Jazz
Providing established voice to represent individual women & non-binary people in Jazz
What are the goals?
To improve the experience of women and non-binary people in Jazz
To create a group of women and non-binary people in Jazz that can meet and share experiences, to have peers to talk with, share stories and support, so as not to feel alone
To build a network of women and non-binary people in Jazz to pool resources with, learn from each other, and empower each other and the entire women and non-binary people in Jazz community as a whole
To improve issues in the Jazz community: how people in Jazz see and treat us; how people outside the Jazz community see and treat us; and how we see and treat ourselves and each other
What We Do
WIJO Current and Past Projects, Events, & Initiatives:
Community Engagement/Education:
WIJO Mentors Program
Partnership with Jazz Girls TX
Concerts:
Headlining Band at Key of She Conference (2020) postponed
International Women’s Day - WIJO Concert @ United Nations International School (2018)
Lioness Concert Series - partnership with Convergence Arts (2018)
JAM Sessions:
WIJO "Women in Jazz" Jam at NYC Winter JazzFest (2020)
WIJO Mentors Jam at National Jazz Museum in Harlem (2019)
WIJO Member Jam Session at Kitano Jazz (2018)
Activism:
Participation in 2018 NYC Women’s March
Consulting on Gender in Jazz with Institutions
Gender In Jazz Panel Discussions & Lectures
Research & Presentations
Venues including NYC Winter JazzFest, University of North Texas, The New School, Juilliard, Sopot Jazz Festival, University of Manitoba, Georgetown University, and many more...
WIJO Member Promotion & Career Enhancement/Development:
Gig Publicity: FB Event Co-Hosts
Social Media Accounts (FB, Twitter, Instagram)
WIJO @ WKCR - live monthly radio programs featuring playlists of member music
Official Apple Music Curator, Playlist curation on Spotify and Soundcloud
WIJO Spotlight Series - member YouTube videos
Partnership with Jeff Hanley: PRI Jazz After Hours & Jazz Happening Now radio shows
Partnership with Mary Foster Conklin: A Broad Spectrum radio show
Providing Resources:
Educational Code of Conduct
Member Databases: Big Band Musicians; Educators; Discography
Suggested reading lists and listening lists
Master list of Women in Jazz Greats
Member Community Events/Community-Building:
Monthly Meetings
Reading Group
WIJO Member Hangs including local bars, online cocktail hours and zoom chats, remote "Town Hall" meetings, and more
Conference Booths/Stands:
Key of She (2020) postponed
JEN Conference (2020)
Jazzahead! (2019)
Other Member Services:
Therapy services offered to members in partnership with selected providers , at reduced and sliding-scale cost