Sister Jazz Orchestra

DECISION-MAKERS IN THE PROFESSIONAL JAZZ WORLD STILL HIRE AND SHOWCASE MOSTLY MALE JAZZ ARTISTS

“It’s a matter of covert discrimination… It’s the phone calls you don’t get. It’s the things that are never spoken in front of you, but you wonder why you never got the opportunities…That’s why you have to talk about it and why you have to keep reminding people: ‘Why not?’”

- Jane Ira Bloom, multi-award-winning soprano saxophonist

CHANGING THE FACE OF JAZZ IN VANCOUVER

Audiences are enriched when women are given equal opportunity to be heard.

SJO brings together the top female jazz musicians in Vancouver in a powerhouse 18-woman ensemble. It's a straight-ahead jazz celebration that will entertain, move and educate big band jazz audiences, with a primary focus on the rich repertoire of women writers.

Discover what you've been missing!

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SJO SHOWCASES AND EMPOWERS TODAY'S TOP JAZZWOMEN IN ORDER TO INSPIRE TOMORROW'S

Beyond being a best-in-class professional jazz orchestra, SJO is purpose-driven, with three goals:

OPPORTUNITY

SJO musicians become highly-visible to Vancouver's jazz community and more frequently hired.

ROLE MODELLING

Girls are inspired to pursue jazz by SJO's visible roster of female role models.

ADVOCACY

Female musicians advocate for, support and hire other women.

CHRISTIAN MORRISON, FOUNDER & BANDLEADER

Musician, business executive, arts patron and volunteer, jazz fan and ardent supporter of women in leadership.

"My unique blend of musical and business experience gives me a deep understanding of the 360° landscape of a professional jazz musician and the challenges women face in this career.

In creating the Sister Jazz Orchestra, I'm combining my diverse experience and passion for making great music to enable more visibility, professional opportunities and respect for Vancouver’s female jazz artists while inspiring the next generation to see what they can be."

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