https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/uni-grads-iowa-womens-jazz-orchestra-pumps-out-powerful-music Check out this news article and video put together by IWJO saxophonist, Eva Andersen! "The purpose of IWJO is perform front of audiences of middle school, high school, and college-aged students to show aspiring jazz musicians that there are active professionals in jazz who are women--and they're right here in Iowa." 
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https://www.iowapublicradio.org/show/talk-of-iowa/2020-07-28/jazz-up-your-summer-by-letting-the-music-get-in-your-spirit
"Jazz music is a truly American art form. Born in New Orleans, it was the creation of African American musicians. On today's show, we hear from Roger Maxwell, one of the founding members of the jazz program at the University of Northern Iowa, saxophonist Damani Phillips, director of the jazz program at the University of Iowa and trumpeter Toni LeFebvre, founder of the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra." 
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We can play it"For varying reasons, like lack of representation and sexual harassment, there are few women in the upper echelons of the jazz world, but groups like (The Iowa Women's Jazz Orchestra) can help change that by showing young girls and boys that women can play jazz." Check out the full story here: https://urban-plains.com/art/we-can-play-it/ |
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"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. With over 20 women from all over Iowa committed to the group, rehearsals are being planned around music conferences and festivals centrally located in the State." - An article written by Dr. Erin Wehr on the founding of IWJO in November 2017.
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