A Message From Festival Executive Producer Gail Christian
The Jazz Festival has truly made its mark over the last decade. It has brought more than 300 female musicians to Palm Springs. They have performed before thousands of fans who have come from all over the country to the desert for this memorable weekend. Our Jazz Master Award party is the primary fundraising opportunity to support and promote the work of women artists.
We are kicking off this year’s Festival with our Jazz Master Awardcelebration by honoring one of jazz’s most celebrated female vocalists, Nnenna Freelon. Ms. Freelon joins a list of PSWJF Jazz Master Award luminaries, including Terri Lyne Carrington, DeeDee Bridgewater and Diane Schuur – who will make a special guest appearance.
The Award ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Margaritaville Hotel in Palm Springs from 4 pm – 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased at our website at the link below. If you can’t attend, we hope to see you at the Festival participating in this wonderful weekend of music and art. We are thrilled to celebrate the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival’s 10th Anniversary from November 11-13.
This year is more important than ever because it marks a turning point in the Festival. We are attracting more prominent artists, however, the production costs to support these artists has substantially increased. This year’s budget has more than doubled at nearly $300,000 supporting more than 40 artists. Because of your loyal support we are growing in leaps and bounds and taking that next step in establishing our small but mighty Festival as a permanent and important part of the jazz landscape. For this we say, Thank you!
We are asking you to support women in music by making the Festival a priority in your giving this year. Our goal is to raise $100,000 during this Festival. This money gives us the start-up funds we need for the coming Festival and the opportunity to book the artists who are defining the music for this generation.
If you are a contributor, we hope you will increase your contribution. If you are not yet a donor, we hope this is the year to change that. We appreciate all of you and whatever you can give. We encourage you to join us in our efforts to break those glass ceilings and help change the world for women musicians.
We could not do what we do without the generous support of our audience and friends. Let’s plan to celebrate the past ten years and the bright future ahead for women in jazz!
Gail Christian, Executive Producer