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AMANA -- TKM Theatrical Productions is sponsoring The Iowa Women's Jazz Sextet, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Amana Performing Arts Center, 39 38th Ave., Amana.
The IWJO Sextet is a 6-piece jazz combo from the larger Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra. It features Jennifer Tiede (alto sax), Lynne Hart (tenor sax), Toni LeFebvre (trumpet), Julia Andrews (piano), Jeanette Welch (bass) and Farren Johnson (drums).
The full Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra (IWJO) is a professional big band made up of women musicians from across the state of Iowa, dedicated to showcasing excellence in jazz while encouraging the participation of women and girls in the art form. Founded in 2017 by trumpet player LeFebvre while pursuing her master's degree at the University of Iowa, IWJO grew out of research focused on women in jazz and the need for greater representation and visibility.
The IWJO Sextet has been spotlighted at numerous events across the state including performances at Orchestra Iowa and KCCK's First Friday Jazz, the Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit, the Cedar Basin Music Festival, RAGBRAI, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and many Iowa public libraries.
Many IWJO members are music educators spanning elementary through collegiate levels. Both the IWJO Sextet and big band regularly and enthusiastically collaborate with middle school, high school and collegiate jazz students to inspire continued engagement with jazz throughout Iowa and beyond and to ensure all musicians--especially girls--feel forever empowered to share their voices through this music.
“The purpose of this all-female band is to provide role-models for girls in Iowa jazz programs, to demonstrate that girls can play jazz, that this is what girls sound like playing jazz, and that girl voices in jazz are valid and meaningful.” From Jazz, Gender and Iowa’s All-Female Jazz Orchestra, an article written by Dr. Erin Wehr about the creation of IWJO.
For more information or to order tickets contact Deb Kennedy at: deborahkennedy@live.com or call 319-899-3799.