Nashville Women in Jazz was born from a dream of increasing visibility and celebrating the vibrant jazz talent that Music City has to offer. Founded in 2017 by vocalist Abigail Flowers and flautist/multi-instrumentalist Danielle Sopchak, alongside the guidance and leadership of vocalist and community organizer Alayna Renae Anderson, the organization has grown into a vital force within Nashville’s music community.

What began as a grassroots effort to connect women in jazz has evolved into a dynamic booking agency, performance collective, and community hub. Recognizing gaps in access within traditional jazz spaces, NWIJ has built its own platforms by partnering with venues across the city to present high-quality jazz programming. By reimagining where and how jazz is experienced, the organization is committed to making the music more accessible while expanding opportunities for artists who have historically been underrepresented.

The organization’s residency at Urban Cowboy serves as a welcoming hub where musicians can gather, collaborate, and share their artistry in real time. Designed as an inclusive environment, the residency encourages artists to sit in and build relationships, with a monthly open jazz jam that offers an accessible, on-the-spot performance opportunity for new and established voices alike.

In recent years, NWIJ has expanded its impact through grant funded initiatives, including the recording of the first-ever all-women album at the legendary RCA Studio B - marking a historic milestone that honors Nashville’s musical legacy while redefining who is represented within it.

Nashville Women in Jazz is actively working to create a more equitable jazz scene in Nashville by challenging hiring norms and increasing visibility for women and underrepresented musicians. The organization calls on venues, bandleaders, and institutions to hire more women, while providing an accessible online database that makes discovering and booking this talent simple and actionable.

Ultimately, Nashville Women in Jazz exists to encourage, empower, and elevate women and underrepresented voices in Nashville’s jazz scene. By creating platforms for performance, cultivating community, and investing in artistic excellence, the organization continues to reshape what jazz in Nashville looks and sounds like.