For Women’s History Month this March we’d like to shine a spotlight on the many talented women artists of Night is Alive! These ladies have won countless awards, filled our records with passion and really worked hard to contribute to the jazz music community. We applaud you all for your great successes and are overjoyed to be able to celebrate your many accomplishments this month! May we raise our glasses and toast to Janis Siegel, Camille Thurman, Teddy Horangic and Andromeda Turre!
Janis Siegel
Janis Siegel’s career is just as rich and impressive as her silky smooth voice. From her dazzling vocals for The Manhattan Transfer, which received ten Grammy Awards during her tenure; to her solo career and achievements as a vocal arranger; Siegel has had her hand in many parts of the music industry. This vivid tapestry of musical expertise really shines through in her voice! Among her many accomplishments, Siegel was awarded a Grammy for her arrangement of “Birdland” in 1980, and received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee School of Music in 1993. With Night is Alive, Siegel explored a unique fusion of country-western and jazz in the album Cryin’ In My Whiskey. You can read more about her adventurous spirit in our feature interview, and don’t miss her soulful rendition of the classic song “Where Do I Put His Memory.”
Camille Thurman
A double threat on the jazz scene, Camille Thurman is equally renowned for her virtuosic tenor saxophone playing and her four-octave vocal range. Thurman is also a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and as well as a composer. Her first two solo albums topped the Billboard Charts and in 2017 and 2018, and she was the runner-up in the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition! Thurman has brought her luminous presence to Night is Alive through her collaboration on Lonnie Plaxico’s album Radiance, where she reimagines soul and jazz classics with effortless sophistication. We just couldn’t get enough of Thurman and ended up doing two interviews with her! The first Q&A focuses more on her formative experiences with music and the second Q&A her more recent endeavors. And don’t forget to listen to her favorite song from Radiance, “It’s a Shame.”
Teddy Horangic
Teddy Horangic brings a powerful and festive energy to the Night is Alive roster, particularly through her contributions to the holiday season. A Yale University student of Grammy-winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, Teddy made her professional recording debut on the label’s celebratory album This Christmas with Night is Alive. Horangic draws inspiration from legends like Sarah Vaughan and Cecile McLorin Salvant, and excels in imbuing her music with deep heartfelt emotion. For a true display of her vocal range and holiday spirit, check out her enchanting performance of “O Holy Night.”
Andromeda Turre
Andromeda Turre is a visionary artist who uses her glorious and fluid vocal tone to bridge the worlds of jazz and environmental activism. The daughter of jazz legends Steve Turre and Akua Dixon, she was raised in the heart of the New York jazz scene and has since headlined stages in 17 countries. Her latest groundbreaking project, From the Earth, is a multidisciplinary gallery exhibit that collaborated with visual artists to provide a fully immersive experience that promotes environmental justice and connects viewers with local climate initiatives. For Night is Alive, Turre shines as the vocalist for the star-studded holiday album Christmas Ain’t Like It Used To Be, where she balances classic jazz sensitivity with modern reflection. For a standout example of her storytelling prowess, listen to the titular track, “Christmas Ain’t Like It Used to Be.”
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s clear that the women of Night is Alive are not just performing jazz—they are actively shaping its future. From Janis Siegel’s legendary arrangements, Camille Thurman’s dual-threat virtuosity to Andromeda Turre’s environmental activism, and the rising brilliance of Teddy Horangic, these artists represent a breathtaking spectrum of leadership, reform, and raw talent. Their contributions remind us that the heart of jazz beats strongest when it is inclusive, bold, and forward-thinking. We invite you to explore their albums, dive into their interviews, and join us in applauding these incredible women who help to make the Night is Alive community so vibrant.
written by Jacqueline Knirnschild
