More than a melody: Girl Jazz Society sets the rhythm for change

Graphic by Kelsey Mason

“Abundance”.

Abundance is the word vocalist Christine Nygard used to describe her experience jamming with Boise State University’s newest jazz club — Girl Jazz Society.

“You know when there’s too much that you want to say about something? It’s just such an abundant thing. Abundance — there’s just so much we can do with Girl Jazz,” Nygard said. “It’s created a really great community. We’re already pretty tight in the music department, but this just created even more creative flow for everyone.”

Christine Nygard is a sophomore at Boise State University, double majoring in music and business.

As a senior in high school, Nygard discovered her love for jazz at one of Boise State University’s Gene Harris Jam Sessions. The next year, she met bassist Sabrina Marie Thomas, the heart behind Girl Jazz Society. 

“Well, me and Sabrina were neighbors in the dorms, and she was talking about how she’s in jazz combos with only guys, and that made her frustrated because they would just mansplain or talk over [the girls in the group],” Nygard said. “She’s like, ‘It would be really cool if we did a girl jazz group, just girls playing jazz’. It took a second to get it approved as a club, but everyone was onboard.”

Sabrina Marie Thomas started Girl Jazz Society in response to the gender disparity she saw at both a university and professional level. 

“I think it’s so cool because I feel like we’re getting to a point where we’re reaching equal opportunity. Being the one girl in the room is so hard. That’s what it feels like in the Boise State Jazz band right now,” Thomas said. “Sometimes you feel the weight on your shoulders of having to represent 51% of the population — and that’s just insane.”

Dr. Derek Ganong, Boise State University’s director of jazz studies, said that he’s witnessed the lack of representation within the Boise State Jazz Band as well. 

“I think it’s a really important and delicate conversation. Throughout middle school and  highschool there’s a fairly good number of girls playing jazz, but that number changes when we get into college,” Ganong said. “So, as someone who runs a college jazz program, I absolutely see that. I look at my ensemble and say ‘How can I help? What can I do to address it?’ and I think supporting the Girl Jazz club is one way I can help do that.”

Ganong and Thomas first met at a jam session hosted by The Funky Taco on Bannock Street. 

“Sabrina is a natural leader,” Ganong said. “The band starts playing and I go — who’s playing bass?”

Thomas was recruited to Boise State University’s music program by Dr. Derek Ganong after hearing her live performance and Girl Jazz Society was born the following year. 

Girl Jazz Society meetings typically start with the group watching or listening to a performance from a woman in the jazz industry. Thomas notes that sharing music with one another not only allows the group to explore new music, but allows the group to see modern representation within the field.

“The last one we watched was actually just a Tiny Desk Concert that I loved on Youtube,” Thomas said. “I was like, this is the coolest thing ever — I need them to watch this.”

The Tiny Desk Concert that Thomas is referring to is a 2022 performance by bassist Endea Owens and her band “The Cookout”.

As a second year music performance major at Boise State University, Thomas says her love for jazz began during childhood.

“I would watch my brother play [as a child] and I thought I have to do that, that looks so fun,” Thomas said. “Now, I’m realizing that this is what I want to do with my life. I just want to do this forever.”

In early October, The Record Exchange invited Babe Vote to host a voter registration party called “Vinyl and Votes” on their patio. The Record Exchange personally invited a variety of young DJs and musicians to perform at the event, including Girl Jazz Society.

“Babe Vote encourages young people to amplify their voices in the voting realm and political side of the world,” Nygard said. “It was cool because [the owner of The Record Exchange] said it would be really cool if [the event] had some Boise State representation since we have the biggest new voter group. Like, we are the voting future. This is the generation that can make a change.”

Over 40 people registered to vote during Girl Jazz Society’s hour-long set. While Thomas is unsure if she considers Girl Jazz Society as a political group, she is interested in exploring the idea.

“It was one of those gigs where I left and I was like — what did I just do? We stopped traffic because people wanted to come watch us. I think we got off the ground in February, and not even a year later we’re getting these really cool opportunities. That’s what every musician wants,” Thomas said. “I think that [Girl Jazz Society being] an all girl, girl power kind of thing, makes it political in a sense. It’d be interesting to touch on that, because I think the girl power revolution is so strong right now. If we could help throw some gas on that fire, I think it would be really awesome.”

The ever growing Girl Jazz Society now has over 25 members participating in both their jam sessions and performances. While they don’t have regularly scheduled meetups, the Girl Jazz Society welcomes anyone, regardless of gender identity, to come play or just listen in on their gigs. Information on events and jam sessions can be found on the Girl Jazz Society Instagram page


“People all the time are telling us ‘Man, I wish I played jazz’, or like, ‘I wish I played an instrument so I could be a part of this’,” Thomas said. “And what I say is, ‘Just come be a part of it. You don’t have to play. You can just be in the room with us’. Seeing people really love what you’re doing is so fulfilling.”

You can listen to the Girl Jazz Society’s music recommendations at the link below.

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