JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK

SISTERS IN JAZZ

sisters in jazz

SISTERS IN JAZZ

COLLEGIATE COMBO COMPETITION

 

APPLICATIONS OPEN

APRIL 14 – OCTOBER 15

In an effort to support JEN’s overall commitment to represent and cultivate diversity and inclusion in jazz, the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Women in Jazz Committee re-established the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo Competition. Through this exemplary program, full-time university students identifying as young women or non-binary jazz artists ages 18-29 will audition and be selected to perform in the Sisters in Jazz quintet.

Applicants must be JEN members in order to apply.

APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 14

photo credit René Huemer & Cherie Hansson

2023 Sisters in Jazz Director

MARION HAYDEN

2023 Sisters in Jazz Selectees will rehearse and receive feedback from this year’s director, Marion Hayden.
The quintet will prepare two charts to premier at the 14th annual JEN Conference in Orlando, FL, January 4-7, 2023.

Born in Detroit, MI, a crucible of jazz, Marion Hayden is one of the nation’s finest proponents of the acoustic bass. Mentored by master trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, Hayden began performing jazz at the age of 15. She has performed with such diverse luminaries as Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, Lester Bowie, David Allen Grier, James Carter, Dorothy Donegan, Joe Williams, Lionel Hampton, Frank Morgan, Jon Hendricks, Hank Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Willis, Vanessa Rubin, Sheila Jordan, Mulgrew Miller, Annie Ross and many others.   She is a co-founder of the touring jazz ensemble Straight Ahead- the first all woman jazz ensemble signed to Atlantic Records. She is a member of the Detroit International Jazz Festival All-Star Ambassadors touring ensemble.

BEARER OF THE CULTURE

Widely recognized as a standard bearer of culture and artistic history, Hayden received a 2019 Art X Grant and a Creators of Culture Grant for original musical works. She was Artistic Director for a 2018 Knight Arts Foundation Grant encouraging young women in jazz. In 2016 Hayden was honored for her work as a performer and educator with the prestigious Kresge Artist Fellowship- a 1 year fellowship and grant award given an elite group of creative artists.  She was the recipient of a 2016 Jazz Hero Award.- a national award given by the Jazz Journalists Association- recognizing people who have made a significant contribution through their artistry and community engagement.

ARTS ADVOCATE

 As an arts advocate, Hayden has served as Grant Panelist for the Detroit Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Art-Ops and the Highland Park Cultural Commission. She also serves as panelist or consultant for South Arts, Detroit Sound Conservancy, Charles Wright Museum of African American History, the Kresge Foundation, Jazz Education Network and Societie of the Culturally Concerned.

A passionate advocate for youth music education, Hayden teaches for Michigan State Univ. Community Music School Detroit and is an educator in residence for the Detroit Jazz Festival. As well, she conducts the Next Gen Ensemble- a performing group of some of the areas best young musicians. Hayden holds faculty positions in the Jazz Studies Departments at University of Michigan and Oakland University. Hayden is the Bass instructor for the Geri Allen Jazz Camp, Newark, NJ. , and in 2021 will join the faculty at Centrum Jazz, Port Townsend, WA.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15

Sisters in Jazz alumnae include such renowned artists as
Sara Caswell, Dawn Clement, Anat Cohen, Anne Drummond, Rosana Eckert, Tia Fuller,
Linda May Han Oh, Tina Raymond, Chihiro Yamanaka, and many more.

 
AND NOW, YOUR NAME CAN BE ADDED TO THE LIST.

All applicants must be:

  • A full-time college student, concurrently taking a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours or six graduate hours
  • A JEN Full Individual or eJEN Member

All applicants must submit the following by October 15th:

1. An application (submitted through getAcceptd.com)

2. Recording Submission: Preferred format mp3 (M4A or wav files also accepted)

  • Four individual audio recording files of your best playing, total recording time not to exceed 25 minutes. (Video recordings not accepted.):
    • a ballad
    • a medium-tempo blues (swing)
    • an up-tempo rhythm changes tune (swing)
    • a straight eighth tune (Latin, rock, funk, or original composition)
  • Vocalists and horn players:  play the head, take several choruses of solo and take the head out.
  • Pianists, bassists and guitarists: comp the changes or walk a chorus before soloing if not also accompanying a horn or vocal soloist and demonstrating those abilities. Using an existing recording that is not specifically in this format will be also be accepted, however.
  • Drummers: Everyone should play “Now’s the Time” as the blues selection and play the melody orchestrated around the set on the head in and out. Blues and rhythm changes should include trading 4s or full chorus solos. One tune, either blues or rhythm changes should include time playing with brushes as well as sticks.  If some individual tracks are longer and include several soloists, indicate on the application at what time trading or solo choruses begin on those tracks.

3. One letter of recommendation 

  • You will submit the email address of one recommender in your application.
  • Upon submission of the application, they will receive an email with a link to upload the letter on your behalf to Acceptd.

4. A bio, resume, or CV listing pertinent musical experiences.

5. A headshot or photo

  • File should be print quality (high).
  • File types accepted include: jpg, gif, and png.
  • Label your photo file as follows: LastNameFirstNameJENSIJPhoto

6. An official copy of college transcript or other proof of concurrent full-time enrollment in an accredited college, university, or conservatory (a minimum of 12 undergraduate or six graduate hours)

APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 14
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2023 sisters in jazz selectees

LANA DRINCIC

Cal State Northridge

Read Bio

kal ferretti

The New School

Read Bio

charlotte lang

Berklee College of Music

Read Bio

destiny diggs-pinto

Manhattan School of Music

Read Bio

holly channell

Arizona State University

Read Bio

past sisters in jazz selectees

2022

  • Molly Redfield – Bass
  • Carmen Murray – Drumset
  • Stephanie Tateiwa – Sax
  • Yeeun Kim – Piano
  • Summer Camargo – Trumpet

2021

  • Jordyn Davis – Bass
  • Minnie Jordan – Violin
  • Megan Lock – Drums
  • Alexandra Ridout – Trumpet
  • Yvonne Rogers – Piano
  • Samantha Spear – Sax

2020

  • Domi Edson – Bass
  • Misaki Nakamichi – Drums
  • Maya Keren – Piano
  • Kate Williams – Trumpet
  • Zahria Sims – Saxophone

2019

  • Colleen Clark – Drums
  • Sarah Hanahan – Alto Saxophone
  • Summer Kodama – Bass
  • Marion Powers – Voice
  • Franchesca Romero – Piano

2009-2018

  • The Jazz Education Network (JEN), founded in 2010, formed the Women in Jazz Committee in 2018, and re-established the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo Competition.
 

2008

  • Ashley Baker – Alto Sax
  • Christie Dashiell – Voice
  • Judith Goldbach – Bass
  • Julia Brav – Piano
  • Shirazette Tinnin – Drums

2007

  • Chelsea Baratz – Tenor Sax
  • Sharel Cassity – Alto, Soprano Sax
  • Vanessa McGowan – Bass
  • Mika Nishimura- Piano
  • Tina Raymond – Drums

2006

  • Misty Boyce – Piano
  • Caroline Davis – Alto Sax
  • Lauren Falls – Bass
  • Melissa Gardiner – Trombone
  • Lorie Wolf – Drums

2005

  • Lakecia Benjamin – Alto Sax
  • Jacquelyn Coleman – Trumpet
  • Delandria Mills – Flute
  • Hanne Pulli – Drums
  • Maeve Royce – Bass
  • Carmen Staaf – Piano

2004

  • Ariel Alexander – Alto, Soprano Sax
  • Brenda Earle – Piano
  • Maria Joyner – Drums
  • Linda Oh – Bass
  • Janelle Reichman – Tenor Sax

2003

  • Kara Baldus – Piano
  • Elizabeth Goodfellow – Drums
  • Nicole Johaenntgen – Alto, Soprano Sax
  • Jennifer Krupa – Trombone
  • Ashley Summers – Bass

2002

  • Renee Marie Cruz – Bass
  • Alyssa Falk – Drums
  • Becky Noble – Alto Sax
  • Tineke Postma – Alto Sax
  • Daniela Schaechter – Piano

2001

  • Airelle Besson – Trumpet
  • Laila Biali – Piano
  • Karine Chapdelaine – Bass
  • Tara Davidson – Alto, Soprano Sax
  • Sandra Hempel – Guitar
  • Kimberly Thompson – Drums

2000

  • Brandi Disterheft – Bass
  • Anne Drummond – Flute
  • Lisa Kelly Scott – Voice
  • Karen Teperberg – Drums
  • Chihiro Yamanaka – Piano

1999

  • Rosana Calderon Eckert – Voice
  • Rachel Eckroth – Piano
  • Tia Fuller – Alto Sax
  • Karin Harris – Trombone
  • Erin Marie Roberts – Bass
  • Angie Tabor – Drums

1998

  • Sara Caswell – Violin
  • Dawn Clement – Piano
  • Anat Cohen – Tenor Sax, Clarinet
  • Loraine Faina – Drums
  • Jodi Proznick – Bass

ADVANCING EDUCATION. PROMOTING PERFORMANCE. DEVELOPING AUDIENCES.

JEN is committed to representing and cultivating diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all areas of its operation including staff, board members, volunteers, presenters, clinicians, performers and audiences. This commitment is present in all programs and decision making.

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LANA DRINCIC

Lana Drincic is a 19-year-old pianist, composer, and bandleader. She was born in San Diego, California, and raised in Kingsburg, a small town in California’s San Joaquin Valley. She started playing classical piano at age five and in high school began studying jazz piano with Craig VonBerg and playing professionally in Fresno, California.

 

Lana is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at California State University, Northridge, where she studies with Gary Fukushima and plays in the CSUN Jazz “A” Band, led by Tina Raymond. In the summer of 2022, she was a semifinalist in the jazz division of the Rubato International Solo Piano Competition in Oxford, Alabama. Recently she was selected to perform her original music in the LA Jazz Society Young Musicians Showcase. She leads a quintet, Lana Drincic + Friends, and performs her original compositions and arrangements with them around Los Angeles.

kal ferretti

Kal Ferretti is a jazz trumpet player based in New York City currently studying in her third year at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. She has studied under esteemed faculty such as Bruce Harris, NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Owens, and currently, Alex Norris. At The New School, she has played in ensembles led by NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman, Dave Glasser, Dave Douglas, and others.

 

In recent months, Kal has performed at venues such as Birdland, Dizzy’s Club, and the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. She also appears on the Grace Fox Big Band debut record “Eleven O’ Seven.” She has been part of various honor bands including the award winning Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, New York Youth Symphony, and is an alum of the prestigious LaGuardia High School. With these bands she has attended Essentially Ellington regional competitions and the Charles Mingus High School Competition.

 

Most recently, Kal has represented The New School at the Keep and Eye Jazz Competition in Amsterdam and was one of three selected students that participated in the 32nd annual International Association of Schools of Jazz Conference (founded by Dave Liebman) in New York City.

charlotte lang

Swiss/Dutch saxophonist Charlotte Lang was born in 1996 in Basel and studied the bachelor and master program at the JAZZCAMPUS Basel under the guidance of Domenic Landolf and Daniel Blanc. She is currently studying the Master of Music in Global Jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston under the artistic direction of Danilo Pérez. In addition she is part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

 

From 2015 to 2018, Charlotte she was a member of the Swiss National Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Christian Muthspiel. Since 2020, she became a member of the German National Youth Jazz Orchestra (Bundesjazzorchester Deutschland), under the direction of Niels Klein and Ansgar Striepens. She also plays is the Austrian FJO (Frauen Jazz Orchester→Women Jazz Orchestra of Austria).

 

In 2021, Charlotte founded her own Quintet the „Charlotte Lang Group“, for what she is composing, arranging and booking. In the fall 2023, her first album will be recorded and hopefully released by a renowned label.

 

Charlotte plays in the “Swiss Jazz Orchestra” and the “Zurich Jazz Orchestra”, the two professional Big Bands of Switzerland.

Charlotte recently got the unique opportunity to write a monthly blog for the Swiss Jazz & Blues Magazine called JAZZTIME, to tell readers about her time at abroad and specifically her time at Berklee. Her graduate program lasts only until the summer of 2023. She hopes to stay in the United States to enlarge her network and build her musical career.

DESTINY DIGGS-PINTO

Destiny Diggs (Lé Queen) is a bassist, composer and bandleader born in Newark, NJ. She participated in the Jazz House Kids jazz training program under the direction of Christian McBride and Melissa Walker for 5 years.

 

In 2019, Destiny was announced as one of the Young Arts Double Bass Jazz winners. She is attending the Manhattan School of Music on a full tuition scholarship under the tutelage of jazz great, Maestro Ron Carter. Destiny also studies privately with Marc Cary and Buster Williams.

 

Aside from her studies at school, Destiny will perform on the Blue Note Jazz Cruise in 2023. She has performed at Dizzys Club Coca Cola, Django, Carnegie Hall, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, and NJPAC (just to name a few). Destiny has played at the Montclair Jazz Festival every year from 2014 through 2019 and played the Central Jazz Festival in September 2018 and 2019. She also played the Hartford Paul Brown Jazz Festival 2021. Diggs’ has worked with the Christian McBride Big Band, Jon Faddis Quartet, Winard Harper Jelli Pose, TK Blue, along with many others. She also subs for bassists such as Christian McBride, Endea Owens, Reggie Workman, etc.

HOLLY CHANNELL

Holly has been teaching private and group music instruction since 2010. Along with her current private music students she is also working as a mentor for the non-profit Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising, an organization devoted to teaching and supporting girls of all ages jazz, and giving them performance opportunities throughout the greater Phoenix area.

 

Holly also a member of the Women’s Jazz Collective, a jazz music ensemble that travels throughout Arizona performing works from all contemporary female jazz composers. She has studied with some of the best musicians including Lewis Nash, Mike Kocour, Roxy Coss, and Jason Palmer. Holly has also written original and arranged multiple jazz works for small group jazz combo.

 

Holly’s biggest passion besides being a mother to her two year-old daughter is jazz. It is a spiritual music that, when understood, consumes your whole soul. She has a passion for playing and studying jazz, but also teaching and mentoring the younger generation so they can have a chance to understand and have jazz music in their lives.