Thoughts, Conversations and To Do Lists

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media Fiona Ross talks to saxophonist, musical director, arranger, educator, and community-music project leader Nichola Pope

Nichola Pope is a saxophonist, musical director, arranger, educator, and community-music project leader.   Nichola’s multifaceted career has earned her a reputation as one of the UK’s leading saxophonists, equally comfortable on stage in front of thousands or in an intimate jazz club.

She has spent years touring in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and has appeared at major UK festivals including Glastonbury, BST Hyde Park, Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival with Bombay Bicycle Club and London Afrobeat Collective.  

Nichola regularly tours in Europe and is a visiting artist for Ashley Slater’s exciting new project HEPTET and is also a

Nichola has performed at packed arenas, international concert halls and London’s West End and tours with shows such as Paul Simon Gracelands LIVE! Rachael Hawnt Winner of ITV1s Starstruck series one Divalution Show and So Cher Show, Gordon Hendricks Ultimate Elvis Tribute Champion, Typically Tina, X-Factor Beyond Buble with James

Nichola has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, Galway Jazz Festival, Dauphine Jazz

Nichola Pope is a Yanagisawa Artist. 

For Nichola Pope website please click here

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media Fiona Ross talks to the award winning author, journalist and critic Jane Cornwell

Jane Cornwell is an author, journalist and critic and raconteur writing mainly about jazz and global music, arts and culture, and also about travel and luxury travel.

Jane writes for major newspapers, magazines and online platforms in the UK and Australia. She is a contributing editor of Songlines magazine and is an interviewer and onstage MC for the likes of Womad, Womadelaide and the EFG London Jazz Festival. She writes books, press releases and sleeve notes. Sometimes she goes on the radio.

In 2019 she completed a highly regarded Masters degree in Global Creative and Cultural Industries (Distinction) at SOAS, University of London – a course designed to deepen understanding of the Cultural Industries and how they are organised, financed, regulated and have been understood in theory. Her dissertation on the resurgence of jazz music in London – ‘Jazz Refreshed? A Contemporary Jazz Phenomenon’ – involved intensive research, extensive interviews, robust arguments and new ideas.

For Jane Cornwell website please click here

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media Fiona Ross talks to writer, publisher, connector, artist manager, music producer and legend Tulani Bridgewater-Kowalski

Daughter of Jazz legends, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Cecil Bridgewater, Tulani Bridgewater-Kowalski was born into the business of show. She was behind-the-scenes from the start, napping as an infant in the cloakrooms of fabled New York Jazz clubs, and toddling onto television sets and concert stages. At an early age, she embraced entertainment and the arts as her home.

A precocious mind and unending search for the why and how come were nurtured when Bridgewater attended Los Angeles' Mirman School for Highly Gifted Children. An

While attending the prestigious Vassar College, she tested the waters at Island Records in New York. After graduating, Bridgewater relocated to Los Angeles with legendary talent firm, Ken Fritz Management, working with GrammyAward® winning and nominated clients, George Benson, Michael  Feinstein, Rebekah del Rio and Sandy Knox. She then went on to associate manage jazz artists, such as Kurt Elling and Billy Childs with Open Door Management.

Tulani expanded her experience in the world of entertainment when she transitioned into a position in television and film. At Nickeloden, Tulani helped rebuild the Talent department of the kid-cabler, handling celebrity and network talent for domestic and international projects, both on and off-air, and in print.

After several years with MTVN/Nickelodeon,

Tulani expanded DDB Productions' international management and production projects. Their collaboration in DDB Records, saw multiple Grammy nominated titles for Dee Dee Bridgewater. The pair also developed and released Theo Croker's critically acclaimed "AfroPhysicist," “DVRKFUNK” (EP), “Escape Velocity."

In 2015, she launched the independent management, artist development and consulting firm, Bridgewater Artists Management. Undertaking projects with emerging and established artists, as well as consulting with music industry companies, media outlets, and nonprofits, BAM has established a venerable reputation.

Concurrent with her work in music, Tulani served on the leadership team for the forward-thinking social platform: the Woolfer. She went on to serve on the advisory board for Hello Revel, an online and in-person

In 2020, she established The Writer's Room, a daily

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media Fiona Ross talks to the Professor of Chemistry and Jazz radio programmer Dr Bradley Stone

Jazz Radio Programmer/ Host/Producer of The Creative Source and Professor of Chemistry Brad Stone has been a radio programmer and music director for the past 40+

To listen to Brad’s ‘The Creative Source’ show on Soul and Jazz, click here

Brad is also a member of the Jazz Journalist Association.

You can also find Brad on Facebook here

For the Medias Touch to follow these links

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media Fiona Ross talks to the legendary Denise King

Artists aren’t made, they are born; born with an innate sense of wonder and a unique perspective of the

Denise King website

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media talks to pianist and composer Charu Suri

Pianist and composer Charu Suri treads fearlessly between genres, pulling global influences that range from the mood-anchoring Indian ragas, Sufi music, to the trio. Her ground-breaking albums, The Book of Ragas, and its sequel, The Book of Ragas vol. 2 have often elicited the response, "I've never heard this type of sound before."

One of the few female composers from India to perform work at

Her last album, RAGAS & WALTZES has received a lot of praise

But she is no stranger to the art of the Songbook too (attribute

Charu has performed at Lincoln Center and other prestigious

https://www.charusuri.com/

The multi award winning artist, journalist and founder of Women in Jazz Media talks to Mr London himself, CEO of TalentBanq, Ray Jones.

Ray Jones is often described by colleagues and friends as “Mr London”. He is a passionate advocate for live music and theatre

He also sits on the Board at The Union Chapel – one of the coolest live music venues on the planet.

For TalentBanq website and to find events click here!

In the 2nd episode since being nominated for ‘Best Podcast’ by the World Entertainment Awards, Fiona talks to the inspirational singer/songwriter/producer and legend China Moses

Singer, songwriter and producer China Moses evolves her artistry in truth. Defiantly real, her music resists what so many labels and critics desire: category. She captivates listeners with her deep

Frank and fearless, China’s songs document fleeting emotional states and extended narratives, often leaning into self-reflection both in lyric and phrasing. Her voice is a satin ribbon wrapped around a crackling flame. Listeners fortunate to observe her in live performance know the depth of her song interpretation. In a moment she can revolve a world.

For more than a decade, the magnetic on-camera personality and consummate actor has appeared regularly on TV series, including national spots alongside Iggy Pop, Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Ciara, Nile Rodgers, Mariah Carey and Hugh Jackman. Provocative as her musical experiences, China’s broadcasting resumé currently features host-producer positions at celebrated radio shows “Made in China” on TSF Jazz (France) and “Late Night with China Moses” On Jazz FM (UK). She’s one of few

The self-dubbed high school dropout has been an artist her entire life. Daughter of legendary activist and director Gilbert Moses III and internationally acclaimed musician Dee Dee Bridgewater, China understands the music and its surrounding culture from the inside out.

In the first episode since being nominated for ‘Best Podcast’ by the World Entertainment Awards, Fiona talks to the inspirational singer/songwriter Ola Onabule

Ola Onabule’s last album, POINT LESS was listed on many international publications as one of the best albums of 2019 including Downbeat Magazine (US), All About Jazz (US) and Jazz in Europe (Europe) amongst them.  The project has now been performed with quartet, quintet, big band and now symphonic orchestras.

Ola Onabule website click here

Fiona talks to composer, lyricist and theatre maker Colin Ross Waterson.

Colin has been writing music for fifteen years in the traditional music industry space.  He released three solo albums as WATERSON, but has now returned to the theatre—his first love. 

Colin Ross Waterson and Ben Hartley wrote new, British musical A Second Chance during the lockdowns, on opposite sides of the Atlantic.  They have self-financed two readings, two workshops, and are crowdfunding the costs of a third and final workshop, which will take place in London next May.  The final leg of development will be performed in front of an industry audience and some of their amazing Crowdfunders.  The campaign is over 30% in a matter of weeks, with five more to go, and has seen support from celebrated actor, Alan Cumming; Emmerdale actor, Kevin Mathurin; and TONY-winning choreographer, Stephen Mear.

“…We had the idea to crowdfund because although we managed to raise finance privately for the bulk of the development—cash for the arts remains scarce—so we thought doing the last part this way would be a good way to both raise funds and start to get a community involved. We feel like its a great way to build an audience whilst funding your project…”

Colin created the music, lyrics, and orchestrations for the show—Ben Hartley, the book and choreography.  Acclaimed director (and artistic director at NCPA), Bruce Guthrie is at helm, being

“…A new British musical about an aspiring singer who faces extraordinary circumstances on the road to fame. Set in the streets of Glasgow, in the late 90’s, and in London twenty years later, this is a story about love, family, struggle, sacrifice, identity, and the search for self-acceptance…”

Crowdfunder link here