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2015 Summer Volume 5
International
Women in Jazz
From the President
Greetings members and friends! International Women
in Jazz is moving forward towards a progressive 2016. I was
excited when we presented our Women in Jazz Festival 2015,
last April. What a lineup. Our headliner was the internationBoard of Directors
ally acclaimed Diva Jaz Orchestra. Dr. Sherrie Maricle, leader,
Jacqueline Lennon
with her all female jazz orchestra rocked
President and Board Chairperson
Saint Peters Church with their swing, blues
and jazz standards. Additional highlights
Kim Thurman
were performances by IWJ members Tina
Secretary
Fabrique from Broadway, TV and film; Greta
Bertha Hope
M. Herron, winner of our 2015 auditions as
well as Gabrielle Garo, Youth in Action
Keisha St. Joan
audition winner. All gave stellar
performances with standing ovations. Our
Advisory Board
swinging IWJ band: Kate Cosco on piano,
Nobuko Cobi Narita,
John Lenis on bass and Dee Ramey on
Pres. Emeritus
drums, accompanied our performers. We
Antoinette Montague,
experienced jazz at its best!
Chairperson
Gail Boyd
IWJ Board of Directors will continue to bring you the music
Dee Dee Bridgewater
you love. As you know nonprofit organizations
Nat Hentoff
experience a rise in expenses every year. We rely on
Emme Kemp
financial support from our members and friends. I know when
Dorthaan Kirk
we call on you for your support you will not hesitate to assist
Janet Lawson
us. Part of our strategic plan is to have phonathons, hire a
Rev. Dale Lind
grant writer and secure summer interns and volunteers. I am
Martin Mueller
glad to report that this is being pursued. We are reaching out
to acquire more board members. If you would like to be a
Newsletter
candidate this year, please request an application. We always
need new and fresh ideas. Our membership is so important.
Ashley Ramsay,
Membership helps cover operational expenses and must be
Editor
increased so please remember to submit your dues and tell
friends. Attend our First Mondays Jam Sessions and
www.internationalwomeninjazz.org
participate in our members’ only auditions to be a candidate
[email protected]
for our events. Supporting our events by membership and
www.facebook.com/internationalwomeninjazz.org
volunteering is greatly appreciated. We cannot do it without
you.
P.O. Box 20674
New York, NY 10025
(212) 560-7553
- Jacqueline Lennon
President, International Women in Jazz
International Women in Jazz 2015 Festival
Tina Fabrique, our special guest performer,
gave a dazzling performance as she took us
through her celebrated journey.
Greta Marie Herron gave a captivating
and commanding performance.
Our Festival Honoree
Youth in Action member, Gabrielle
Garo, delivered impressive, skillful jazz
renditions on the flute and the saxophone.
The Diva Jazz Orchestra headlined at Saint
Peter’s Church.
Gwen Kelley, editor and publishing
manager of The Hot House Jazz Guide,
accepted the honor accompaned by her
husband, Joseph Kelley.
SPOTLITE ON IWJ MEMBERS
Kim Clarke
Congratulations to IWJ member Kim Clarke on her
Jazz Hero Award from Jazz Journalist Association,
held at the Blue Note in New York City. IWJ
supporters Jackie Lennon, Antoinette Montague,
who gave the opening performance, and Kim Clarke
were all smiles to Randy Weston on his JJA Lifetime
Achievement Award. We also congratulate IWJ
member Monika Herzig in Indiana as a JJA Jazz Hero,
who was unable to attend and to all awardees.
Dee Cassella
Dee Cassella
Kim Clarke
Recognition Ceremony
Jackie Lennon, IWJ President, presents recognition
awards for outstanding service to members Mary
Alford, Nadine Sapia, Aldora Britton. Board Member
Keisha St. Joan assisted with the ceremony.
Recognition Awards
Interview
IWJ President Jackie Lennon was interviewed by
John Greenspan, IWJ member and host of “Good
Morning Jazz” on KSFR, Santa Fe Radio. IWJ was
featured for his 15th Anniversary Women in
Jazz program, June 2015.
An exceptional singer, Dee Cassella began
singing professionally only late in her career,
revealing her totally distinctive sounds and
deeply-felt interpretations. She’s performed sold
out CD release shows for her 2008 debut
recording “I’m Here Now”, featuring bandmates
Dena DeRose, Gene Bertoncini, Jed Levy, Martin
Wind and Matt Wilson, receiving rave reviews that
can be viewed at “deecassella.com, as well as
videos on line at youtube.com/user/deecassella.
Ms. Cassella is also part of a two CD compilation
of jazz tunes on the EQ label in Singapore,
Malaysia and Taiwan.
Since then, she’s heard monthly at Two Boots
in Connecticut and Fuji’s of Japan, an extended
stay at Somethin’ Jazz Club in NYC, along with
sold out shows at the Metropolitan Room, The
North Square, Jazz at Kitano, and Barnes and
Noble. Dee also toured in Paris, France; Italy and
Moscow, Russia.
Entering the Sarah Vaughan International
Women’s Jazz competition, Dee Cassella was top
40 out of 1,500 singers in 2012, 2013 & 2014 and
in 2013 was chosen in the top 15 as a
semi-finalist. She also received the Cabaret
Choice Performer Award as a nominee in 2008,
and was featured
vocalist for the 2007 New York Sheet Music
Society Show.
Reviewer Will Friedwald stated,“Dee delivers
songs with such conviction and subtlety that
after a few notes you’re not even thinking so much
about the singing part-you’re too busy following
the stories she tells.” Dee is an active IWJ
member.
Who said “Good help is hard to find.”
PUBLICITY GOES A LONG WAY
Membership Event Calendar
IWJ Member calendar is a new benefit! Submit your event
to [email protected]
Membership
Get involved. Become an IWJ member and help us
continue our jazz journey. Apply online or request an
application.
Youth in Action
Are you a female musician under the age of 17 who plays
or sings jazz? Attend our auditions to perform in IWJ
events. Check out our website for update.
IWJ is expanding our board membership. Be a part of IWJ
and bring your skills to our table. Request an application.
Publicity Goes A Long Way
Like us on Facebook and please mention you are a
member of International Women in Jazz on your social
media and provide us with your link for the member page
of our website.
Contact Us
This past summer,
IWJ was fortunate to hire
Ashley Ramsay as an
intern who assisted us
with tracking and improving our
databases and social
media. Ashley is a senior
at Caldwell University,
majoring in
communications and media studies and
minoring in business
administration. Her
knowledge of systems
was welcomed to perform
several tasks necessary
to innovate and improve
Ashley Ramsay
IWJ.
Ashley’s other interests include singing and
writing. She currently teaches Rockin’ Railroad, a Kidville class that introduces toddlers
to musical instruments, sounds, and rhythms.
She has most recently received a certification
in event planning and design. This intern has
set her goals high and hit the ground running,
expressing interest in volunteering her services
and expertise to IWJ every step of the way.
Thanks to Ashley for her service! We cannot
wait to see where she makes her mark in the
entertainment industry and support her in all
future endeavors.
Become an IWJ
Member!
Yearly dues are only $45.
Apply by mail or online
via our website.
PayPal and credit cards accepted.
Website: www.internationalwomeninjazz.org
Q&A: [email protected]
IWJ First Monday
Jam Sessions
International Women in Jazz
P.O. BOX 20674
New York, NY 10025
(212) 560-7553
Open to the public. We invite
singers, instrumentalists, jazz
performers and enthusiasts to
our first Monday monthly jams
at Saint Peter’s Church.
Accompaniment by our IWJ musicians.
For more information see our website.
https://www.facebook.com/InternationalWomeninJazz.org