Jazz FM is celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 with a month of content this March
Jazz FM Voices reflects the theme of “Break The Bias” and Jazz FM Premium launches a ‘Women Of Jazz’ 24/7 music radio station
Last updated 29th Jun 2022
Jazz FM celebrated International Woman’s Day 2022 with a month of programmes. Not only reflecting the year’s global theme of “Break the Bias” on the day itself, but also devoting hours of other output to the ongoing conversation of gender equality.
On International Women’s Day, a cast of artists were invited to personally explain what it means to Break the Bias AND what they believe needs to happen regarding the roles of women and non-binary people in the music industry.
Contributors included Marcus Miller, Carleen Anderson, Robert Glasper, Sly5thAve, Judi Jackson, Catherine Russell and many more.
Jazz FM Voices Editor Claire Umney who is leading the on-air initiative said: “Throughout the month of March, Jazz FM is looking to all parts of the jazz scene to discuss how we can work together to positively impact the roles of women within the music industry. No one is excluded from this conversation.
"The responsibility of creating a more equitable environment is not one that solely belongs to women, and we are inviting everyone to listen, contribute, and act alongside us."
Jazz FM Voices - Break the Bias
Throughout March Jazz FM Voices will dedicate it's programmes to 'Women in Music'. The series, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Tina Edwards, will feature DJs, producers, directors, and musicians to discuss Women in Production, Women in Leadership and Women on the Syllabus.
Tina Edwards, host of Jazz FM Voices: Women In Music series throughout March said: “I’m thrilled to be inviting some excellent musicians, directors and producers onto the series. We’re going to be visiting recording studios, board rooms and schools to ignite conversations around women’s contributions in music.
"I’m particularly looking forward to exploring the presence (or lack of) women on the syllabus; are our future jazz stars being taught about the achievements of female musicians? And if not, why not?"
In the first episode of the series, Tina was joined by some of Jazz FM's musical family to explore the International Women's Day 2022 theme 'Break The Bias'. Artists included Nikki Yeoh, Luca Manning, Anushka, Blue Lab Beats, Marcus Miller, Alice Russell and Robert Glasper.
Listen again here:
Women In Production
Tina Edwards continues the series by talking to producers within the music industry. What assumptions tend to be made about women working in music, studio and stage production, and why do we place more value on certain things? With contributions from musicians Blue Lab Beats and Emma-Jean Thackray, Tour Manager Freda Knowles, Lou Paley from Women in Jazz and DJ NikNak.
Listen again here:
Women In Leadership
Tina Edwards talks to women in leadership and positions of power within the music industry. With contributors Vanessa Reed, Paulette Long OBE, Yvette Griffith, and Tamzyn French, the programme highlights the importance of representation and celebrates some impactful initiatives that are running in the UK and beyond.
Listen again here:
Women on the Syllabus
In this final episode, Jazz FM Voices discovers why female artists aren’t regularly included in music education frameworks, and what is being done to combat this shortfall. Tina Edwards talks to former jazz students about their experiences, and what the future should look like.
Featuring Elliot Galvin, Yazz Ahmed, Clara Serra López, Romarna Campbell, and Emma Rawicz in conversation.
Listen again here:
Elsewhere...
You can also still listen to our Women in Music special from 2021. Hosted by China Moses, this programme features interviews with managers, musicians, journalists and event producers. The ensemble shares honest experiences and responds to the IWD2021 theme ‘Choose To Challenge’.
Featuring Nubya Garcia, Lady Blackbird, Rachel Millar, Tamar Osborn, Nicole McKenzie, Tina Edwards, Emily Jones and Natasha Thomas.