International Alliance for Women in Music
Women Who Innovate Grant Winner
This grant is to award a female-identifying artist who is creating new work, seeking collaborative opportunities, taking risks, and pushing the boundaries in their musical realm.
IAWM Women Who Innovate Grant Winner
IAWM is excited to announce the inaugural recipient of the Women Who Innovate grant! The International Alliance for Women in Music has awarded distinguished performing artist Sibongile Anna Buda $1000 to support her project The Global Jazzwomen Festival,
Congratulations Anna!
We would like to thank our judges Dr. Hannah Leffler – UTA Arlington, Kristin Wolski – University of North Texas, and Jennifer Betzer, Urban Youth Harp Ensemble for providing insightful feedback to all participants.
The Artist
Sibongile Buda, known as Ms. Buda Bass, is a Mamelodi born, South African performing artist. She’s a bassist, composer, band leader, music program teacher and director. Her passion for music is traced back to her grandmother, who plays an African drum in church. Her love for music emanates from growing up in a musical background, following in her grandmother’s footsteps. This lead to a discovery of a music program known as Committed Artist for Cultural Advancement (CAFCA) through childhood friends. She’s currently teaching music at CAFCA, which focuses on enhancement of music skills for children from disadvantaged communities. Buda is a founder and Program Director of the female led organisation Jazz Camp for Female Instrumentalists Mamelodi (JCFI), whose purpose is to groom and empower females with artistic skills from an early age and to provide a platform for female artists to showcase their talent.
As director and host of the weekly Global JazzWomen Hang, Buda has co-produced three online concerts and an in-person festival, and continues to seek out and connect women from around the world in a new international community of support.
The Project
The Global Jazzwomen Festival is an annual celebration of female jazz musicians from around the world. Launched three years ago with no initial budget, the festival has since grown into a vital platform for women in jazz to showcase their artistry, connect with international peers, and engage in meaningful discussions about gender representation in the music industry. Each edition of the festival is held in a different country, emphasizing its global reach and commitment to promoting cross-cultural musical exchanges.
History
– 2022: The inaugural festival was hosted in Gaborone, Botswana, featuring performances, panel discussions, and mentorship sessions.
– 2023: The festival moved to South Africa, where it expanded its programming to include workshops and networking events.
– 2025: This year, the festival will be held in Eswatini from March 25-28, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Month. The event will highlight women’s contributions to jazz while addressing challenges and opportunities in the industry.
Objectives
– To provide a platform for female jazz musicians to perform and collaborate. – To promote cultural exchange through music, encouraging global connections among artists. – To address gender disparities in jazz by creating networking and mentorship opportunities. – To engage local communities through workshops, masterclasses, and educational programs.
2025 Festival Highlights
Live Performances: Featuring an eclectic lineup of female jazz artists from 3 continents. – Workshops & Masterclasses: Led by experienced musicians and industry professionals. Panel Discussions: Covering topics such as women in jazz, mentorship, and the business of music. Community Engagement: Outreach programs with local music schools and youth groups. The Global Jazzwomen Festival continues to serve as an important initiative in promoting gender equity in the jazz world. By empowering female musicians and creating spaces for collaboration, the festival encourages a more inclusive and diverse jazz community. Support for this project will ensure its sustainability and further its mission to elevate women in jazz on a global scale.
