100% Women in Jazz mix: The Woodshed Network Radio Hour
I may have to do more of these because we still ain't there yet...
How are you doing?
Once again thank you for being here. For reading this. I have been struggling with time management while on the road. I truly thought I could hold up a once a month mix. That I would do live with my adorable travel size midi controller and not on my computer DAW but the time has come for me to admit:
It just couldn’t fit it in.
Is it a fail?
Only if I don’t pick up the pieces.
My loving and talented partner Donwill does this regular weekly New Music Tuesday here on substack
…And while reading it the other day I asked myself:
“How does one get out of the ‘always fresh, always new is better’ paradigm”?
We all are witnessing that there is truly, rarely “bad” music nowadays. I mean the median level of quality is so high! It’s mind boggling! And it’s a beautiful thing.
Simultaneously, I don’t know about you, but I can’t for the life of me enjoy it all.
It’s beyond frustrating.
That’s what fuels my musical curation.
I do try my best to sprinkle in new releases on my radio shows. But a song is not just here for a ‘hit it and quit it’ listening experience. Some songs you must listen to multiple times to fully grasp the intentions, the mood, the ebb and flow of all of the elements, the colors, the swell of the silences, the floating ribbons of the melodies and also for it to imprint your soul.
We are all struggling with multi tasking our different selves.
The Woodshed Network
I would like to share with you a mix I made for the Woodshed Network in 2023.
I took it upon myself to highlight the dizzyingly talented alumnae who have gone through this two-week intensive mentoring program created by the illustrious Dee Dee Bridgewater. The program designed and led by the multi-talented manager, Tulani Bridgewater-Kowlaski, is truly one of the best I have witnessed. It is funded by the grant awarded to Dee Dee Bridgewater by the charitable Doris Duke Foundation.
The program’s mission is to uplift the voices and careers of self-identifying women in the wide realm of Jazz. While we have a lot of work ahead of us as a musical community, it's important to celebrate the audio art that the former mentees have already made.
Listen to The Woodshed Network Radio Hour
Tracklist
Ciara Moser - Thinking Y3
Kennedy Administration - Let’s Stay together Y1
Lakecia Benjamin - New Mornings Y1
Aretha Scruggs - Ain’t Nobody Y3
Ana Nelson - Blue Flower Y3
Darynn Dean - We The People Y1
Simone Baron & Arco Belo - Post Edit Delete Y2
Teagan Faran & Rodrigo Avalos - Espejismo Y3
Marta Sanchez - Dear Worthiness Y2
Ashley Pezzotti - Drunk On Love Y2
Kari Kirkland - Steam Roller Blues Y3
Danielle Wertz - Rest Your Head (One For Natalie) Y3
Alexis Lombre - Come Find Me Y3
Jordyn Davis & Jholey Gray Y2- Night Off Y2
Berta Moreno - Karibu Y2
Candice Hoyes - Waiting For The World (Tired) Y2
Cassie Watson Francillon - In Some Awe Y3
REDWOOD - Nana Y1
Rhonda Sauce - Nothing New (Joe Newman) Y3
Akua Alrich - Exhale The Day (Jermaine Hardsoul) Y2
All absolutely brilliant in their own individual ways. I took the time to link to their websites if you click on their names.
(Now, for those of you who don't know, my mom is the incomparable NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award, Tony Award, Lawrence Olivier Awards winner Dee Dee Bridgewater… Yeah I know. Icon. And Tulani is my sister. It’s a family affair…)
For those of you interested in the artist side of my world
Upcoming concerts: I just realized I have a lot of upcoming concerts and will be spending a lot of time in Europe — Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Norway, Poland, UK. Next year, I will try to get some concerts in the US.
Try is the operative word…
I would like to share with you this live recording of one of my favorite songs in my repertoire from my album On Tourne En Rond (2000 Source/Virgin). Created by Mounir Belkhir (Les Nubians), Fabe, and myself, this song has become a frequent audience request.
Radio
Late Night China Moses is still on Mon-Thurs 10PM UK on Jazz FM
Made In China on TSF Jazz is on summer hiatus, but you can still practice your French. The latest episode features a live session with the painter/singer-songwriter Lossapardo and an interview with Gabriela Etoa, who runs the ONLY Nu Soul jam session in Paris.
Ok that’s it for now let me go catch this plane back to NYC… Thank you for reading and sharing.
Please be kind to yourself,
-cm
#singerontheroad
What do the Y1, Y2, Y3 indicate ? (after each listed track)
I've got a couple Lakecia Benjamin albums but most of the rest of this is new to me. Thx.