Fiona Ross, a singer and jazz writer, has set up the Women in Jazz Media group to raise the profile of women who work in jazz media – journalists, photographers, publishers and editors – and encourage greater female participation.
She says the organisation is designed to “encourage and support a more diverse jazz community” as well as create “a healthy and supportive environment for women who work in jazz media”.
Ross, who writes for Jazz In Europe and edits for Jazz Quarterly, has invited support from jazz media organisations. Those who take up the invitation will have their logo and link posted on the Women in Jazz Media webpage at womeninjazzmedia.com.
In return, Women in Jazz Media offers to promote any content on supporters’ websites that is written or hosted by women or where the content is about women in jazz media, and to promote any articles exploring diversity discussions and initiatives.
Fiona Ross says: “I have been really blown away by the support in only a couple of weeks, I must admit, but this shows that people feel there is a need for something like this. I have received emails from female writers across the world wanting to be involved.” She adds that she has already received the support of several publications.
More can seen of the WJM group, and contact made, on its Facebook page – facebook.com/womeninjazzmedia. Fiona Ross the singer can be seen in performance on YouTube.
