By Fiona Ross With the recent passing of the mighty Aretha Franklin, never has there been a more poignant time to reflect on the power of music and the impact it has on us all. We all know the intense power music can have. We listen, and we hear. I listen to ‘Respect’ and within seconds, I feel strong, independent...

Erecting a Stage for the Arts to Thrive. "The great luminaries of female jazz vocalists of the 20th century - Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughn (to name a few) - give the impression that gender posed no obstacles in the phenomenon of this era. Female jazz vocalists were able to enjoy successful careers and worldwide popularity and posterity,...