We hope everyone had a wonderful break over the holiday period – we are back and ready for 2022. We are working on many projects this year that will be announced over the next couple of months and of course, celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th. Do keep in touch with our news and updates and get in touch if you would like to know more!

As always, the team have been busy with various different projects both inside and outside of our WIJM work:

Lara Jones has an incredible year planned already and launches her new album on Feb 24th at Servant Jazz Quarters in London before her tour. Tickets available here: Lara Jones at Servant Jazz

Lara was also interviewed by Lara Eidi in our latest magazine which you can read here

Rouhangeze is performing at Toulouse Lautrec London, on Feb 12th in ‘A Celebration of Love’: 'Come enjoy a romantic “Love Set” with your chosen one for a Valentine’s evening to remember with Rouhangeze and her band. A singer of depth encased with a velvet tone, sensuality and by far, uniquely different from the flock. She teams up with polish piano extraordinaire and composer Tomasz Bura. His spirited and playful energy effortlessly supports the singing of Rouhangeze, with an interesting twist, interaction and complicity. Also joining this electric duo on stage, we have Tom Mason on Bass (Ghostpoet, Lily Allen, Questlove). They will take you on a beautiful journey tickling your senses with a sensitive, giving and passionate approach as they offer a wide genre of stylistic interpretation. Rouhangeze covers an ethnic diversity beautifully articulate in various languages, ranging from Jazz, soul, and indigenous folk influences. For this special occasion, their repertoire will include poetry and famous love songs across various genres moulded in jazz, with a few surprises'

Tickets available here: A Celebration of Love

Ashaine White's next gig is Feb 15th following on from the success of her brilliant EP launch. Tickets here: Folklore: Ashaine White

You can also read all about Ashaine's conversation with Celine Peterson and Roger Wilson, exploring our new podcast series ‘Knocking Down the Door’ in our latest magazine here

Kim Cypher has been working on incredible projects and recently interviewed Ami Oprenova which is included in our latest magazine. You can read the article here

Kim shares this with us all:

On 1st February my brand-new Gospel-inspired song 'Bring Your Own Sunshine' will release as a charity single for Maggie's cancer care charity. Cancer affects many people's lives. It can be a frightening, daunting and lonely experience. With centres across the UK and worldwide, Maggie's provides a welcoming 'home from home' for anyone affected by cancer. In honour of my beautiful friend Karen Jackson, who fought a long, brave battle with cancer, 'Bring Your Own Sunshine' features phenomenal US guitarist B.D. Lenz and the incredible CK Gospel Choir, composed as an anthem for Maggie's to spread hope, positivity and sunshine just like Karen did.

On 1st February (Karen's birthday) the song will release on my Bandcamp page and all proceeds will be donated to the fundraising project, where people can also make donations and find out more about the project: Mike Cypher is fundraising for Maggie's Centres (justgiving.com)

The project has currently raised £2800 including a series of sell-out live performances as part of the project. Filmed in London and New York, the music video will follow in the Spring when the song will be available on all music platforms. The track can be previewed in this short rehearsal video: Bring Your Own Sunshine - Kim Cypher - YouTube

The cover art (created by one of Karen's daughter's Emily). The 'sunshine' cake was baked full of love and captures Karen's happiness, positivity and sunshine. It expresses perfectly the meaning behind the track and portrays the warm welcome guaranteed at Maggie's Centres, where there is always a cake on the table. Here is a fab photo of the CK Gospel Choir too:

Esther Bennett is starting a new interview series for us, exploring new releases and helping to spread the word about some incredible new music. First interview coming soon! Esther is also very excited to be performing in London, at Pizza Express Soho ‘​WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR GIG AT THE PIZZA EXPRESS, DEAN STREET, SOHO ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 7th, PLEASE DO JOIN US!!‘

'Esther Bennett is one of the London Jazz scene’s most experienced, highly respected and widely loved jazz vocalists, juxtaposing sensitivity with a sparky sense of humour. Her song delivery leaves audiences utterly compelled and a wonderful evening and performance is guaranteed. Tonight's gig celebrates 2 recently released EPs - 'Safe Places' featuring original material written and recorded with pianist Terence Collie, who is gaining enormous respect as a jazz pianist and from 'The Songs of Duncan Lamont' featuring Duncan Lamont Jnr on saxes & flute. Tonight, we have Richard Sadler on bass, Steve Taylor on drums, and Matt Hodge on percussion' Tickets here: Esther Bennett at Pizza Express

Monika S Jakubowska is celebrating with Tatiana Gorilovsky on their incredible achievement of being the first female photographers in the National Jazz Archive. You can view here: Monika in the National Jazz Archive She has been busy, as always, working the Jazz scene at Ronnie Scott’s and beyond, capturing some brilliant gigs:

We published new team member Fausta Joly brilliant poem in our latest magazine, especially written for our London Jazz Festival event. You can read it here

Wendy Kirkland explored the life of pianist Jutta Hipp in our latest magazine which you can read here Wendy also released her ‘Latin Lowdown Live’ album on Dec 24th which is going down a storm! Here is a little insight on: Latin Lowdown

Mirian Arbalejo shared with us her thoughts on her search for female artists in 'The Search'

and last but certainly not least, Fiona Mactaggart interviewed the inspirational Keyna Wilkins here

These are just a few highlights, but do please do support everyone’s incredible work if you can!