2023 Wrap-Up
A message from NWIJ Executive Director Alayna Renae:
“Hello Nashville Women in Jazz!
Over the years, this collective has met the needs of our community in various ways. We began as a support group; meeting up to share our experiences, resources, and guidance through the hardships that come with being a woman in the music industry. We started hosting jazz jams to provide an inclusive and encouraging space to grow in musicianship. Over the last year, I wanted to help us elevate our professionalism by providing free headshots and more equitable work opportunities for us. This is just the beginning.
I am committed to transforming the Nashville jazz scene into an inclusive place that centers marginalized identities and celebrates diversity that is multiracial, multigenerational, with multi-level musicianship. I know that we can do it together, but it’s going to take all of us.
Notable Accomplishments
Grew our membership by 210%!!! Raising membership from 20 to 62 people. Check out who’s signed up with us here - we encourage you to follow and hire each other!
Raised $850 to pay for and host our first free membership photoshoot
Hosted a residency at Liberty Commons providing 25 gigs for NWIJ
Hosted a residency at Urban Cowboy providing over 50 gigs for NWIJ
Launched our first public fundraiser, crowd-sourcing about $2,000 to support non-profit start up costs and host our first event series. (It is still live if you’d like to donate!)
Organized the first and second annual Femme Fatale series, incorporating over 15 musicians to shine a light on women in jazz, 10 femme and non-binary vendors, and a very special trans burlesque dancer to raise money for NWIJ efforts
Hosted multiple meet-ups to build community and musicianship
Developed a partnership with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to establish a new residency
Developed a partnership with the Bankers Alley Hotel to become one of their preferred vendors for events
Performed for, and helped raise money, for Aftyn Behn’s election campaign- helping her to be elected as the first woman to represent TN House District 51 in over 50 years! She is currently the only woman serving in the TN House of Representatives and the youngest person to ever be elected!
This is a glimpse of the work we’ve accomplished this year. All of the partnerships and residencies we have established have taken an extensive amount of rate negotiations. We are holding the bar for venues to pay musicians equitably and pay attention to the demographics they’re hiring.
I am excited to announce that I wrote the first grant for Nashville Women in Jazz, which we have received! This money will fund a jazz jam that we will host on the last Tuesday of every month from January - May 2024. To make this successful it will take all of our efforts and collaboration!! Please stay tuned for more details!!!!
I thank everyone who has been a part of the journey of Nashville Women in Jazz over the last 5 years.
I’d be so grateful if you could respond to this email with any experiences you’ve gotten out of being a part of this collective this year.
Yours in community,
Alayna”
