Recently, I was honored to be interviewed for an upcoming cover
story feature in Saxophone Journal. During the lengthy
conversation, I was encouraged to share experiences from
many aspects of my musical career. Of course, the interviewer
could not avoid the one topic that will not go away -- gender
discrimination.
Interviewer Dr. Thomas Erdmann: I wonder what
American society has come to when we have to have DIVA, or the Montclair Womenâs
Big Band, in order for women to find a place to work in a big band
setting. Not that these are not wonderful groups, because they are.
Here we are at the beginning of the 21st century and there are women picketing
the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra because there is no female representation, no
women musicians in the group. You have faced gender discrimination, you
just related an instance. I know there are young women saxophonists who
read this magazine and I was wondering if you had something you could say to
them about how you face and deal with gender discrimination?
Excerpts from my response: Almost every time I do an
interview this area comes up, and this points to the fact that this is a problem
that is still relevant. The best way we, as women, can make a difference
changing this prejudice, if there is one, is to be a great musician, have
integrity, be professional and be someone others want to work with. Have
it be about the music.
We fall prey to the standards of society that say, âhow a woman looks is
more important than how she plays.â We need to take care of how we look
and be professional in our presentation, but it cannot be a substitute for
musicianship.
I now have a bit of history to look back upon in my own career, and there
have been a lot of really supportive men or I would not have gone as far as I
have or had the experiences I have had. It is not all a harsh world for
women. We do not have to just band together. There are certainly a
lot of men who do appreciate what we have to offer musically.
Ironically, sometimes a girl gets a lucky break from an
established male musician where she least expects it. Ever hear of the famous
big band trumpeter, Ray Anthony? The Hall of Fame on my website
includes the story of my adventure playing with his band at the
Playboy Mansion. You won't want to miss this! Click this
link:
The Battle of the Sexes rages on! Here's your chance to hear
some amazing Women musicians really blow!
Sunday, September 10
featuring saxophonist Sonya Jason
with
Montclair Women's Big Band, Ellen Seeling Director
The Montclair
Village Jazz & Wine Festival
in Downtown Montclair
Village
Oakland, CA
Noon - 1:00 pm, free!
Saturday, September 30
featuring saxophonist Sonya Jason with
Montclair Women's Big Band, Ellen Seeling
Director
Women of Taste Fundraising Event
for Girls Inc.
of Alameda County
Oakland Museum
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA
6 - 10
pm
tickets & info. (510) 357-5515 ext. 19
And you get to enjoy these
fabulously talented Men musicians making music with me, too!
Tuesday, September 5
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Groove"
with drummer Rob Rhodes and
B-3 Organist Wayne De La
Cruz
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(650) 728-2739
390
Capistrano Road
Princeton By The Sea, CA
6 - 9 pm, no cover
Thursday, September 28
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Style"
with vibraphonist Jon
Ericksen
acoustic bassist Perry
Thoorsell
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(650)
728-2739
390 Capistrano Road
Princeton By The Sea, CA
6 - 9 pm, no
cover
Discover more about the
various BANDS that I lead (descriptions, mp3 demos and songlists) by
clicking this link:
View my
complete PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE anytime by clicking this
link:
Feel free to forward this email to
your friends who love SAX.
I THANK YOU for your
appreciation of good music and the artists who make it!
Sonya
Jason
(650) 563-9155
PO Box
370633
Montara, CA 94037
P.S. Do you wonder why women whine that the world won't
work the way they want? Are you weary of watching women waste weeks
whimpering about what's wrong while witty wise-guys would
warn that one may witness worse worries? You are welcome to
withdraw from wincing at these words. Why wait? If you wish to wipe your
name off this list, click Reply, write "WHATEVER!!" in the white space and click
Send.