Palm Springs Women's Jazz and Blues Association

WE PROVIDE A STAGE FOR INCREDIBLE FEMALE MUSICIANS TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT, AND YOUR DEDICATED SUPPORT MAKES THAT POSSIBLE. 

Mark Your Calendar!

BLUES AT THE WOODSTOCK

September 3-6, 2026        

Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs, CA

An all-volunteer board manages and financially supports the Association and the Palm Springs Women's Jazz and Blues Festival.

Since launching in 2013, The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival has been featured in numerous publications including Jazz Times, KJAZZ Radio in Los Angeles, Palm Springs Life and listed as a Top Ten Music Festival in the Desert Sun after just two years.

2026 Programming In Our Thirteenth Year:

-Blues at the Woodstock - Honoring traditional/classic female blues artists 

-Jazz At Sunset Concerts

-To maintain the definitive website on women in jazz and blues

-Online series: 5 Minutes That Will Make you Love Jazz and Blues

Organization's Mission Statement and Purpose:

The stated mission of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz and Blues Association, Inc. is to promote, encourage and cultivate appreciation, enjoyment and support of women jazz and blues musicians. The Association, operating as the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival was established in 2013 by African-American women, was founded with the purpose of addressing the racial and sexual inequity that has historically permeated jazz and blues music with the result of cutting women out of opportunities for employment and the ability to work as musicians. This discrimination is blatant regardless of the location or the year. This discrimination has been allowed to flourish unchecked because there are no government regulations or public outrage or backlash that curtail it.

In the early days Downbeat Magazine was quoted as saying the only reaction the audience would have to a woman blowing a horn would be to rush to the door. The result has been decades of being underpaid, under-employed and underestimated.

We support and lift-up these musicians, particularly black women, who have been the most discriminated against in an industry that has been slow to welcome their presence. However, of equal importance to us is to preserve jazz and blues music because of its cultural importance. We are making a concerted effort to bring back the connection between jazz and blues music and social justice. Organizations like this one serve as advocates for women musicians and are the primary entities that help them, daily, gain a foothold in the music business.

This organization inserted itself into this mix in the role of promoter, publicist, booker, and producer to assist women musicians in finding work and enhancing their acceptance in the business. To accomplish this by producing women musicians and providing outlets for their performances in clubs, concerts, and festivals. To increase their visibility through social media and ad campaigns designed to familiarize new and larger audiences with their work to develop a greater appreciation of their history, talent, and contributions to music. To encourage and support young musicians considering careers in these genres by including them in concert bookings and providing them with student stipends. 

 

2025 Blues Festival Attendee Expressions:

“I was blown away…it was unbelievable, so great…” --- Kim (2025)

Thank you all for the great evening we had! We were the German guest. The spirit and the great music were amazing. We will never forget this evening. --B. Henssler, Germany (2025)

 Fantastic! The legacy lives on….brought happy tears to my eyes. --- Brian (2025)

…thank you for continuing to bring such great events to the Desert...that you bring such quality to our community…. --- Marjorie (2025)

 Standing ovations! This was truly one of the best live classic blues events of the year! Lucy DeBardelaben, Producer, PSWJF (2025)