Gathering great women musicians together and getting their music heard by multitudes! Spring 2020 Issue #2
spring 2020
Jeannie Cheatham Jazmin Ghent page 6
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table of contents 1. From the Editor by Dr. Joan Cartwright
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2. Irene Robbins, International President P5
Jeannie Cheatham
Melba Joyce
Sheila Firestone
Paula Hampton
Lady Mack
Lenore Raphael
Jazmin Ghent
Amy Bormet
Chantal Smith
3. Features: d Jeannie Cheatham, pianist, composer, vocalist by Mariea Antoinette
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d Melba Joyce, vocalist by Diedre Johnson
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d Sheila Firestone, composer, playwright by Elaine Bosik
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d Paula Hampton, drummer by Dr. Joan Cartwright
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d Lady Mack, guitarist by Dr. Joan Cartwright
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d The Swingin’ Lenore Raphael by Barbara Connelly
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d Jazmin Ghent: How To Make A Musicwoman by Deborah Ghent
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d Biggi Vinkeloe talks with Amy Bormet, pianist, producer
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d Chantal, Pianist in Shanghai by Erin Peng
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4. UR2.Global Call to Composers: P26 Collaborate with Dr. Amelia Kemp and Sweet Honey In The Rock 5. Short Stories: b How I Became A Talent Agent by Gail Boyd
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b String Player’s Guide To The Universe by Randi Fishenfeld
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b Theater Stage Playwright and Production by Mimi Johnson
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b My Musical Journey by Linda Harris
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b Swinging with Bassist Donald Jackson by Erin Peng
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b Health Corner: On That Note by Lydia Harris
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b Young Musicians: Know the Standards P42 6. A Short List of Women in Music by Jean Wald, Librarian, Deland University 2
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south florida
since 2007
www.wijsf.org
Dr. Joan Cartwright, Executive Director
From the Editor
By Dr. Joan Cartwright This second issue of Musicwoman Magazine is full of good information from veteran women musicians. These women have mentored me during my musical career. They bring light to the difficulties faced by women musicians, throughout the decades, and tell their stories of overcoming sexism on and off stage. The younger women featured in this issue are courageous icons in their own right. They are making their mark despite the barriers thrown up by the diminishing patriarchal society. Women are on the move in music and these young women are at the avant garde. As our membership grows, more students are joining our non-profit organization Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc. to collaborate with seasoned women. These students are honing their performance skills along with business acumen to be prepared to compete in the huge music market. We embrace their energy and welcome them into the fold of women in music. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you, our readers, to the second issue of Musicwoman Magazine. Most important is the work of our graphic artist, Jodylynn Talevi, who made my life less complicated by producing a beautiful magazine. We have yet to garner the advertisement needed to make this publication a success. But we believe that this is an indelible document that will move women musicians into the limelight they deserve. Love and music,
Dr. Joan Cartwright Editor/Publisher
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Jazmin Ghent
All photos of Jazmin Ghent by Nancy Jo Brown/106FOTO
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HOW TO MAKE A MUSICWOMAN by Deborah Ghent I LOVE music. I always wanted to play the piano and since I’m from a family of nine, we simply could not afford a piano or lessons. My father was a jazz lover, so he would relax after work by playing albums. I would find a corner outside of our living room and listen to all of the jazz greats - The Pres., Sonny Stitt, Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, and Jimmy McGriff to name a few.
to help the girls transition from playing classical music to gospel music.
They began taking lessons twice weekly with two teachers, one teacher for classical and the other for gospel. They were only seven years old and it made such a difference. Jazmin took the liberty to improvise on some of the hymns. At eight, they played for the Sunday School. They played two hymns each Sunday and received a Practice and Preparation modest check from the church. Practicing and When I met my husband, I discovered we had preparation were vital because they needed to the love of jazz in common. We both said our be prepared for their lessons and for their job as favorite female name was Jazmin and agreed the Sunday School pianists. They participated that would be the name of a girl if we ever had in at least two recitals every year. one. We were blessed with twin daughters, Jenai and Jazmin. I promised Carl, if we purchased a Motivation and Competitiveness piano, it would be more than just a showpiece. When the girls were 10, they were well-versed We found a great sale and purchased an entry in the piano. It was time to start thinking about level black lacquer, baby grand piano to match college and music scholarships. They needed an Asian black lacquer screen in our living room. to master an instrument and participate in middle and high school band activities. Their According to my research, the best time to begin grandfather loved the saxophone and played in piano lessons is when a child learns to read. So, his youth. Their brother, Carl, played saxophone my girls started in first grade. I taught school, in the marching band. We purchased two used during the day, and I knew that routine is vital alto saxophones. Jazmin was determined to play for children. Homework, dinner, and music better than her brother and was motivated to practice were part of the routine in our house. be the best amongst her peers. She practiced Our children were restricted to watching TV on the scales for Solo Ensemble and Allstate. the weekend. I loved to listen to the piano while Every evening before bed, I listened to her play preparing dinner. The girls practiced 30 to 45 what she practiced and gave her a grade for her minutes per day and an hour or more on the performance. weekend. Their lessons with the music teachers were once per week and I used weekly treats and Then, she would play a song from the Jamey lots of praise for motivation. Aebersold Jazz Saxophone Book. Jazmin’s skills began to exceed her sister and her brother. Our children were inspired by our enthusiasm. We loved jazz and had hundreds of CDs from During the summer, she took lessons at a local Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Jonathan Butler, music store with a skilled saxophonist and she and Jeff Lorber. Going to and from school, jazz soared. She played scales for her saxophone would be on the radio - WJAB - or on the CD teacher and people would walk in the music player. When I realized the growth in their shop and ask who was playing. She did not skills, I purchased books from music stores to sound like an 11 year old. There were several alto introduce them to playing other genres of music. saxophone players in the band and I convinced I purchased gospel books and a large hymnal, my husband that an upgrade to a new tenor was then I asked a minister of music at a local church Con’t on page 66
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Theater Stage Playwright and Production by MIMI JOHNSON
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As a stage playwright and producer of musical stage plays, I have important activities that must happen before showtime. The first thing, I must create a script that is as uncomplicated, so the actors and actresses can learn their lines to be able to follow directions and blocking.
sponsorship proposal to include a playbill for ads, logo placement for the step-and-repeat red carpet banner and include business cards and promotional items in gift bags. Sponsorship is a great way to raise money. Your online presence is important for selling tickets. A website like Eventbrite provides online ticket sales that are crucial for you to pay for your production. Higher-priced tickets at the door encourage attendees to purchase tickets, in advance, because online tickets are less expensive. Your cast and production crew should help to market the show and bring in advertisers on social media, by texting, and email. Also, they spread the news by word of mouth, passing out flyers and phone banking.
Next, is casting done by the casting agent, These tips will help you to become a successful director, or producer who must choose the stage play producer. right actors for each part. When casting for a theater stage play, there are many ways that you can cast your actors. You can choose actors and actresses that you already know are dependable or you can put an audition casting call out to the public and schedule a reading. In most cases, there is a type calling an actor’s height, race, age, and appearance. It is imperative that you have actors and actresses that get along and do not bring negative energy to the production. For this reason, you cast understudies to replace your cast members who do not work out. Then, the producer must schedule readings and rehearsals to accommodate the actors and actresses. Once they are off script, direction will include blocking and positioning for the stage performances. Your Servant in The Arts, Mimi Johnson www.MimiJohnsonTheTripleThreat.info www.MJTheaterCafe.info
Funding is imperative because money is needed for payroll, the venue, advertisement, and the stage set. It is challenging to find funding. You can reach out to businesses that want to sponsor your project by promoting their products and services on your show date. You must draft a
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www.WomenAtWorkTour.com
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Biggi Vinkeloe talks with AMY BORMET (con’t) to several places, including our NYC debut at tunes on the piano rolls, while creating my own Tribeca PAC. sounds, running up and down the keyboard. I loved music theory and I continue to study and enjoy it, every day. BV: Do you compose music? If so, how many compositions do you have. AB: Yes. I compose as often as possible. I am not sure how many are finished pieces. But I have composed over 100. BV: What advice would give a younger women entering the world of music performance? AB: Do not quit. Book your own gigs. Be a leader. Be bold. Do not wait for an invitation to perform. Make it happen and invite others. BV: Amy, thank you so much for this inspiring talk!
Also, I have a trio in DC that performed at the Kennedy Center and the DC Jazz Fest. I hope to get a tour together for that ensemble. Eventually, I want the Harold Trio with Biggi Vinkeloe and Tina Raymond to tour. Maybe in 2021. I am grateful to have played in Europe on a few tours over the last five years, with my group Ephemera at Women in Jazz Sweden. BV: Why did you start your own record label, Strange Woman Records? AB: I was not satisfied with previous results from other record labels. So, I decided to revamp the whole process and take inspiration from Betty Carter to start my own record label. My husband, Matt Dievendorf and I have a great partnership and enjoy working together, with Washington Women in Jazz, and touring with our bands. Strange Woman Records is the inevitable outcome of our shared time and interest in recording and promoting new music. It is a tremendous amount of work that will grow over time and serve as proof of our efforts. BV: How did you come to music as a child? AB: My mother is a musician. We had my grandmother’s player piano. I learned the
Biggi Vinkeloe musician, composer, saxophonist, and educator in Sweden and California. She is passionate about women’s rights. She works for women’s empowerment, globally. She was in India, in January 2020. Member of IMPRA, Sweden (2007-2019) [www.impra.se]; the 20172019 International President Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.
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The latest version of String Theory is called M-Theory, M for membrane. So, now, we realize that strings can coexist with membranes. So, the subatomic particles we see in nature, the quartz, the electrons are nothing but musical notes on a tiny vibrating string.
• What is physics?
Physics is nothing but the laws of harmony that you can write on vibrating strings.
•What is chemistry?
Chemistry is nothing but the melodies you can play on interacting vibrating strings.
•What is the universe?
The universe is a symphony of vibrating strings. And then what is the mind of God that Albert Einstein eloquently wrote about for the last 30 years of his life?
Dr. Michio Kaku
For the first time in history, we have a candidate for the mind of God. It is, cosmic music resonating through 11 dimensional hyperspace. We are nothing but melodies. We are nothing but cosmic music played out on vibrating strings and membranes, obeying the laws of physics, which is nothing but the laws of harmony of vibrating strings. ~ Dr. Michio Kaku stated: Accordingly, WE are music and the science is there to confirm.
He expands on this slightly in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW6JFKgbAF4
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