The first Syncopated Sisters residency!

Berlin – 21.05.2023. This March, the Syncopated Sisters Music Residency, organised by Nina Thaler and Katharina Wegner, opened space for FLINTA* musicians for exchange, networking and an unforgettable musical experience, shining a spotlight on women in traditional jazz music.

The Residency

With two incredible band workshops led by Marie-Anne Standaert and Angela Strandberg, as well as expert-led workshops focused on female empowerment, thanks to the valuable input of Anna Stiede and Jean Klinghammer, this festival was the ultimate celebration of the long-lasting power of women in jazz.

The residency kicked off for empowering days ahead with a concert of the all female band “the hot nuts’ ‘ with the support of Swing Patrol Berlin at Frannz Club. The well known Jazz Club DONAU 115 opened their venue for our rehearsals during the days. After two intense days of rehearsals, the festival hosted a jam session at the Camidi Cheese & Wine Bar and closed with a final celebration night at the legendary Crack Bellmer, showcasing the great talent of 27 female musicians from all over Europe. The repertoire of one of the residency bands, chosen for the occasion, was a tribute to early jazz composer Mary Lou Williams.

And even if every teacher, artist and expert was female or identified as FLINTA* the public events of the festival were open to all genders, and welcomed amateur and semi-professional musicians, musicians from other genres, and swing dancers with prior musical knowledge.

Outcome

The goal was of significant importance: to strengthen the network of female jazz musicians in Europe, as well as to empower other female musicians, whether they’re professionals or just starting out. There was room for discussion as well on gender issues and preconceptions about music and musicians. These intense workshops were thought to be a safe space for everyone involved. Plus, this was a unique opportunity for female artists to come together, celebrate their talent, and make meaningful connections. Now we are happy to increase the visibility of female artists both on and off the stage in the traditional jazz scene and we hope to inspire others to follow suit by providing more platforms to women musicians.

Following up the residency Nina Thaler is keeping active with the Syncopated Sisters Podcast series that you can already listen to online. More about this exciting new project soon!

Syncopation Society in Jazzahead!

Jazzahead! is the European meeting for the Jazz community worldwide that usually takes place in Bremen and like many event it had to go online this year. Florent and François participated to represent the Syncopation Society and more generally the early jazz scene, which often remains totally unknown from most jazz professionals.

4 days of interesting exchanges will help to expand our network with festival and event programmers, journalists and institutions.

A Syncopated Holiday Festival

Last December 2020. The dead of winter with many places going on a second lock-down. This gloomy situation was the catalyst for our first collaboration with the SwingStep dance school to support the Berlin scene and keep jazz lovers and dancers entertained.

We produced 5 concerts recorded and filmed by Nadanadi Studio, almost 30 musicians participated and you were more than 500 people to follow the Zoom concerts animated by Ali and the whole SwingStep crew. Thank to all of you, we were able to reach our goal and pay all the participants accordingly.

You can now rewatch all 5 concerts HERE. We are also releasing of the compilation of the best songs of the festival on our store. For the contributors, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will send you the compilation.

THANK YOU!