Biggi Vinkeloe International President of WIJSF Global Dr. Joan Cartwright is an outstanding jazz singer and relentless advocate for gender equality for women musicians who perform, record, and teach within the field of jazz and other musical genres. She entrusted me with the position of International President for Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. and I feel honored to represent this global organization of women musicians. This is the first, full-sized edition of Musicwomen Magazine. I was challenged to write an inspirational article to address the diverse, vibrant, active, and beautiful community of skilled and aware women musicians, and associated men, who work as singers, instrumentalists, composers, conductors, and writers. I know what inspires me and my work as a composer, musician, educator, and music therapist. We all have different agendas, when it comes to music. But we like to see smiles on the faces of those we perform with and for. That is how we know we have established a connection with them. As one of the few women saxophonists of my generation (60+), I perform, internationally, with musicians from different horizons in exciting genre-bending adventures. Besides numerous projects, a big part of my work is community-oriented. I teach saxophone, flute, and improvisation. There is not much media attention, large audiences, or big money in the field of improvisational music, instant composition, or avant-garde jazz. Instead, there is an intense focus on developing tools for composing music and for developing a space for experiences in an unknown territory. Albert Ayler said, “Music is the healing force of the universe.â€? This is a powerful statement that I share with groups I conduct in schools in Uganda, India, Sweden, France, and the U.S. The Stans Häftigaste Orkester (SHO) is the most amazing orchestra in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is a workshop orchestra with musicians from 25 to 80 years old. Most players are in their 60s. Teaching is based on doing, playing, listening, and imitating. It is a joyful experience that allows the participation of skilled and unskilled instrumentalists. What inspires me to keep on going is to find ways to be inclusive, communicate in a respectful and allowing environment, and create something bigger than myself.
Biggi Vinkeloe is a musician, composer, and educator in Sweden and California. She is a member of IMPRA, Sweden, since 2007, and the International President of the Board of Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. (2017-2019).
Spring 2019 - 6
