3 minute read

From the International President

from Musicwoman Magazine

by Musicwoman and Musicman Magazines

from Musicwoman Magazine, page 17

Musicwoman Magazine

From the International President

Dear Women in Jazz South Florida and globally,

Summer is around the corner and many of us are touring. We will play at parks, clubs, festivals, and concert halls. Sometimes, we will sleep in hotels, other nights, on a tour bus on our way to another far away city. Or we will drive six hours, after the gig, to come home to our family and hug everybody good morning.

Between sound checks and shows, I call home to my husband and two children to ask how their day was. I call mom and grandmother, cheering everybody up, and trying to be supportive, even if the tour bus just broke down and we are in the middle of nowhere.

We need to find new songs to sing, write scores, after everybody has gone to bed, compose, design our stage outfits, and be there to shine and share wonderful music with those who come to listen. We teach and help other musicians to be the best they can be.

It’s a challenge to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. We are living our dream. Not to mention, answering all those questions from people who ask why we are not home, taking care of our family, and how much do we get paid.

My challenge has been to bring my children with me, as often as I can, and give them a good relationship with music. Many places I play have a 21-year-old age limit. So, the children, who are 13 and 18, have to hide backstage, or be smuggled in, under blankets, to play on stage. To live, day by day, and make it all work is the key to happiness, in everything I do.

I grew up in a musical family, and toured with my parents and three siblings. I won’t mention the economy, but I cannot count the times the bus broke down, often in the middle of the winter. One day, we would play for five thousand people and, the next day, for five. But that’s the beauty of it all. Music is important to us humans and it is imperative that women participate and be seen performing in the music business.

If we can make a difference for people, we have accomplished a lot. One song is so full of love and meaning that words are unnecessary. We all have different life situations, but we must support each other.

Joan and I discussed producing a festival to gather us women together to have fun, play music, and just hang with each other. I want to invite you to my podcast on YouTube. Please be my guest, whenever you want. I’m so glad for you and the music you share with the world. Keep on.