Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, we welcome Wendy Kirkland

Our podcasts are named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!

You can listen on Spotify here

You can listen on Apple Podcasts here

Pianist and singer Wendy Kirkland has been a mainstay of the UK Jazz scene since the late noughties, but it was her first album, Piano Divas, released in 2017 that began her ascent to wider recognition as a “Singing Pianist”, as dubbed by Jazz Journal. The ability to sing at the same time as comping and craft solos on the piano or unison piano/voice scat lines is her forte, with influences such as Diana Krall, Eliane Elias and Dena DeRose. Further accolades were given for her 2019 release The Music’s On Me, dubbed “a huge leap forward” by Jazz Views. Both albums prompted ACE funded tours all over the UK and constant radio airplay ever since.

During lockdown from March 2020, Wendy and guitarist/bassist husband Pat Sprakes entertained with a daily dose of Latin American music on Facebook which they entitled Latin Lockdowns. After 86 such performances they decided it was time to move on to other musical endeavours, but were amazed and pleased to receive daily messages from people who described the videos in such terms as “a ray of sunshine” in their lockdown situations.

Wendy will be performing at our special event on June 27th to celebrate jazz vocalists and women in the jazz industry to raise money for renowned jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. Five outstanding vocalists from the British jazz scene, Vimala Rowe, Lily Dior, Esther Bennett, Diana Torti and Fiona Ross will bring their unique artistry to a range of jazz standards in an evening full of jazz tradition and elegant atmosphere, all accompanied by Wendy!. Women in Jazz Media presents: Jazz Sisters: A celebration of vocal jazz

Wendy’s musical career began at age 10, when she started taking piano lessons. She won a scholarship to have all her lessons paid for by Derbyshire Music, and continued to take her ABRSM piano grades. Switching to jazz in her late teens, Wendy continued her playing career as a dance class pianist, accompanist to singers and as a keyboardist in club bands. After being persuaded to sing by a great friend and guitarist, Bill McCreath, Wendy learned to reach people who are perhaps turned off by instrumental jazz, as she learnt to communicate with the audience through the songs. Wendy’s voice has been likened to Blossom Dearie with hints of Diana Krall. Find out more about Wendy here: Wendy’s links here

Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw.

Hannah Horton website

Relaunching our podcast series 'Kicking Down the Door' in partnership Céline Peterson and Black Lives in Music with host Mary Sho, platforming inspirational black women in the Music industry. And kicking down the door to start us off, we are thrilled to welcome our first guest the inspirational singer/songwriter/producer and legend China Moses

You can listen here on Spotify Apple and all major podcast platforms

Singer, songwriter and producer China Moses evolves her artistry in truth. Defiantly real, her music resists what so many labels and critics desire: category. She captivates listeners with her deep pocket, sensitivity and wit, drawing inspiration from endless styles in the expansive lineage of Black American music.

Frank and fearless, China’s songs document fleeting emotional states and extended narratives, often leaning into self-reflection both in lyric and phrasing. Her voice is a satin ribbon wrapped around a crackling flame. Listeners fortunate to observe her in live performance know the depth of her song interpretation. In a moment she can revolve a world.

Click here for China Moses website

For more than a decade, the magnetic on-camera personality and consummate actor has appeared regularly on TV series, including national spots alongside Iggy Pop, Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Ciara, Nile Rodgers, Mariah Carey and Hugh Jackman. Provocative as her musical experiences, China’s broadcasting resumé currently features host-producer positions at celebrated radio shows “Made in China” on TSF Jazz (France) and “Late Night with China Moses” On Jazz FM (UK). She’s one of few women of color to host multiple radio shows across European and UK airwaves.

The self-dubbed high school dropout has been an artist her entire life. Daughter of legendary activist and director Gilbert Moses III and internationally acclaimed musician Dee Dee Bridgewater, China understands the music and its surrounding culture from the inside out.

Along her varied musical paths, she has performed with Archie Shepp, Pee Wee Ellis, Theo Croker, John Beasley, Nils Landgren, John Patitucci, Magnus Lindgren, Jamie Cullum, Terence Blanchard, Terri Lyne Carrington, Aloe Blacc, Lakecia Benjamin and Ian Shaw, sharing stages with legends Roy Hargrove, George Benson, Metropole Orkest Big Band, myriad philharmonics including Bogota, Trier, Dresden, Potsdam, Bilbao, Paris and Szczecin, WDR Big Band, HR Big Band, Metropole Orkest Big Band and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. She has recorded with Karriem Riggins, Lakecia Benjamin, DJ Mehdi, Meshell Ndegeocello, Fatoumata Diawara, Chilly Gonzales, GURU, Cerrone, DJ Cam, Daru Jones, Étienne De Crécy and Klaus Doldinger. As a songwriter who composes music and lyrics for the majority of her material, China has collaborated with Anthony Marshall, Oli Rockberger, Troy Miller, Alex Webb, Raphael Lemonnier, Gordon Cyrus & Bob Power.

A global artist and citizen, China has performed in more than 800 shows across six continents in the past 12 years. She has appeared at Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz Café, Barbican Centre and Royal Albert Hall in London, Olympia, UNESCO International Jazz Day and La Cigale in Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Berlin Opernhaus, Elbphilharmonie and Dresdner Philharmonie in Germany and Birdland and Nublu in New York City. One of her hidden skills is that of a powerhouse researcher — as a performing and recording artist, a broadcast professional and an international educator. China’s commitment to authentic representation and inclusive perspectives has garnered critical acclaim and peer acknowledgement. She’s a member of the 2013 Young Leader graduating class of the French American Foundation, holds the title Chevalier of St Emilion & Bergerac and has lent her expertise as a panellist at the 2020 Montreux Jazz Academy.

 Mary Sho, a singer and songwriter hailing from South London with a worldwide sound which transcends time and space, offering a home to lovers of authentic, live sounds. Sho’s sound drops you into the late 70’s and early 80’s with tinges of contemporary soul infused with funk origins, creating sounds similar to if Lizzo met Solange met Childish Gambino met Sly and The Family Stone with Thundercat on additional bass!

Armed with live instrumentation and striking, self-directed and self styled visuals, Sho’s spacey vocals float over bass-heavy, funk-soul sounds. while highlighting the experiences of Black women and owning the power of her identity, mind, body and soul. Mary Sho has been featured on BBC London Radio multiple times and has recently performed at Brixton House (Soho Friends) ans Cafe KOKO. This year she was one of the recipients of Women in Jazz Media 2023 and has just released her debut Album titled ‘WOMAN RISING’ in the world

Mary Sho links here

Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Lily Dior!

Our podcasts are named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!

You can listen on Spotify here

You can listen on Apple Podcasts here

Lily was born in Australia where her debut album ‘Invitation’ received universal acclaim and put her firmly on the map, performing globally at major festivals and venues in New York, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and London, now her home. She has shared the stage with world-class musicians including Oscar Castro Neves, Dale Barlow and James Morrison, made numerous TV and Radio appearances and hosted her own show on Sydney’s premier jazz station ‘Eastside Radio’ for over ten years. 

Lily will be performing at our special event on June 27th to celebrate jazz vocalists and women in the jazz industry to raise money for renowned jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. Five outstanding vocalists from the British jazz scene, Vimala Rowe, Lily Dior, Esther Bennett, Diana Torti and Fiona Ross will bring their unique artistry to a range of jazz standards in an evening full of jazz tradition and elegant atmosphere, accompanied by one of the UK’s most loved pianists, Wendy Kirkland. Women in Jazz Media presents: Jazz Sisters: A celebration of vocal jazz

“Jazz and soul coexist in Lily Dior’s vocal style ... sassy, soulful, passionate and strong.” - Rhythms Magazine

Lily links here

Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website

Welcome to the next episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here

In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Laila Biali

Available on Spotify Apple and all major podcast platforms

Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and CBC Music national radio host Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, and supported international icon Sting. Her JUNO-nominated 2023 album, Your Requests, featured a stellar cast of guests and received a 4.5 star rave review in All About Jazz. Her previous release, Out of Dust, was also JUNO nominated (in 2021) and won Laila spots on “Best Album” lists around the globe. In 2020, Laila was honoured by SOCAN Music with the Hagood Hardy Award for Excellence in Songwriting. The previous year, Laila’s eponymous release won her a JUNO for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” and top prize at the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. Laila was the youngest-ever double winner at Canada’s National Jazz Awards when she was named "SOCAN Composer of the Year" and "Keyboardist of the Year”, and she received her first JUNO nomination for Tracing Light in 2011. When Laila isn’t on stage or in the studio, she’s busy hosting CBC Music's national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz – a weekly program broadcast to millions of listeners across Canada. And while she continues to earn high honours in the jazz world, Laila’s signature sound transcends genre – "masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy" (Washington Post). This coming November, she will release her brand new Wintersongs album, embarking on a cross-country Canadian tour with a virtuosic ensemble that includes Jane Bunnett, members of the Venuti String Quartet, George Koller, Ben Wittman, the dancers Andrea Nann and Sara Prosper, as well as local youth choirs.

"Biali's voice – spanning registers – is pure and warm. She's also fearless on piano and, above else, in her imagination.” – DownBeat Magazine

Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the MedievalByzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Assocation. 

Lara Eidi website

Welcome to our latest team news! We like to share some of the work the team have been doing both inside and outside of their Women in Jazz Media work and we have all been very busy as always.

We are working on a range of projects at the moment, including preparing for our next magazine which comes out in July, wellbeing initiatives and the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Isabel Marquez leads on our playlist and you can find our latest volume by clicking here As always we would encourage you share and buy music directly from the artists if you can.

You can catch up on all our recent podcasts including Hannah Horton’s ‘In Conversation With…’ talking to Laura Impallomeni, Lara Eidi’s ‘The Notes Between’ with Moira Smiley and our ‘On The Bookcase’ talking to Judith Tick.

Our next event is our Jazz Sisters: A celebration of vocal jazz. A benefit event for Anita Wardell. A special event to celebrate jazz vocalists and women in the jazz industry to raise money for renowned jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. Five outstanding vocalists from the British jazz scene, Vimala Rowe, Lily Dior, Esther Bennett, Diana Torti and Fiona Ross will bring their unique artistry to a range of jazz standards in an evening full of jazz tradition and elegant atmosphere, accompanied by one of the UK’s most loved pianists, Wendy Kirkland.

This will be held at Karamel Club, London and you can find out more and buy tickets here

Tatiana Gorilovsky has been out and about as always taking stunning photos and shared some of her most recent shots with us, including Sahra Gure (at the new residence of the SpiceJazzSoho, in Zedel)  Irene Serra (with the ISQ in Pizza Express Soho) and photos from the recent Alina Bzhezhinska gig supporting Ukraine in the Cockpit with Jo Harrop and Nikki King.

Wendy Kirkland is returning to Ronnie Scott’s on June 3rd  with Randy Johnston and Pat Sprakes. Wendy normally sells out at Ronnie’s so grab your tickets here and quickly!

New team member Mary Sho has recorded her first episode for our relaunch of the ‘Kicking Down The Door’ podcast series! We have a very special guest, and we cannot wait to share this with you! Coming very soon.

Our new team member Betty Accorsi has published her first review in our Jazz in Europe column! Dolomite is the 5th EP release of the Italian born and London based singer and composer Maddalena Ghezzi, and you can read the review by clicking here

Betty was also thrilled to appear in a book! Talking the Groove by Chris Searle (published by Jazz in Britain) and you can see Betty live with her quartet at the Hampstead Jazz Club on June 13th ‘Join Betty Accorsi in her musical journey, which will bring you to discover the route of the tea clipper Cutty Sark from China to London and explore the beauties of Brighton’. You can buy tickets here

And for even more incredible Italian women, Germana Stella La Sorsa is playing at Off The Rails on Sunday 9th of June with her quartet featuring trombonist Laura Impallomeni. You can buy tickets here

​And lastly Fiona Ross has been busy as always. She recently spent time in Paris with our patron Maxine Gordon where they met with drummer Sylvia Cuenca, saw some great music, visited book stores and followed in James Baldwin’s footsteps. Fiona was also recently invited to attend the prestigious Oxford Cultural Leaders programme, with her Women in Jazz Media hat on and is now an Oxford University alumni. Fancy. As a member of the Jazz Journalist Association and their book committee, Fiona was especially thrilled to see Book of the Year About Jazz: History, Criticism and Culture, awarded to In Search of a Beautiful Freedom, by Farah Jasmine Griffin and The Lona Foote-Bob Parent Award for Career Excellence in Photography to Adriana Mateo. You can read all about the winners here

Our new Women in Jazz Media Playlist is now out: : Volume 34! We publish a new playlist each month and try to share a wide range of women from across the world - new releases, legacy artists, new and established artists and also some women we think you should know about but maybe don't!  We keep it to 15 artists per playlist to give you time to discover, listen and share these incredible women. 

You can listen here on Spotify and click here for You Tube

Do please get in touch if you have music you would like us to include - either your own or recommendations. We are especially keen to share music from female instrumentalists and composers.

Allegra Levy  Meg Okura  Judith Owen 

 Vidya   Rebecca Trescher    Cassie Kinoshi and Seed

Thandiswa Mazwai     Espial     Veda Bartringer

Gemma Farrell   Bryony Jarman-Pinto    Boreal Sun

Valaida Snow   Maddalena Ghezzi and Ruth Goller   Camille Rose