WOMAN IN JAZZ
SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.
WIJSF,
INC. – A Non Profit Organization
Incorporated:
March 2007
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Joan
Cartwright, M.A.
BOARD MEMBERS
Karen
Black, Esquire, President
Sandra
Nobles, Secretary
Dr. Janice Boursiquot, Treasurer
The
organization is the fulfillment of the work of jazz performer, composer
and educator Joan Cartwright, whose career spans 30 years. Ms.
Cartwright’s book, IN PURSUIT OF A MELODY, chronicles her career,
contains 35 poems, 40 original compositions, photos and two lectures: “Women
in Jazz” and “So, You Want To Be a Singer? A Manual for Up and
Coming Divas”.
Ms.
Cartwright received Student Enrichment of the Arts Grants in 1999, 2000
and 2001, to present her workshop, Women in Jazz, to students in
Broward County, Florida. She’s presented her program in Switzerland,
Italy, China and Japan, in all, to over 5,000 students.
Cartwright’s
goals include the promotion of other women who perform and write music. In
1998, she produced the first Gaiafest Women in Jazz,
honoring pianist Dorothy Donegan and vocalist Dakota Staton, and sponsored
by several South Florida public and private corporations.
Through grants and other funding, WIJSF, INC. enables jazz women to be seen, heard and appreciated locally, nationally and globally.
"Melba Liston is one of the best jazz musicians, not just one of the best women in jazz." -- Junior Mance
Organist Trudy Pitts handled herself formidably in an arena of musicians made up mostly of men.
Joan Cartwright has been the leader of hundreds of musicians in her band JAZZ HOTLINE.
