Missoula Jazz Hero
When Naomi Moon Siegel, trombonist and composer, relocated to Missoula in 2016 it was a fortunate occurrence for Montana musicians.
Born in western Massachusetts; raised outside Chicago with playtimes in western North Carolina, semester abroad in South Africa, musical studies at Oberlin College and the workshop School for Improvised Music, she lived for a while in Oakland, taught at The Jazz School (now the California Jazz Conservatory) and Stanford Jazz Workshop, then moved to Seattle in 2008 where she founded the folk/punk/jazz duo Syrinx Effect with saxophonist Kate Olson.
Seeking respite from the city’s grayness by creating retreats in Costa Rica, Senegal and Gambia, Siegel moved east to us to be closer to family and nature. Although she’s worked with an admirable list of nationally known players in many configurations, it is her tireless community work, much accomplished through her organization Lakebottom Sound, that has brought a new level of awareness to the Montana jazz scene and which we celebrate with this Award.
Siegel’s collaborative vision and commitment to sharing it is evidenced in her direction and production of TheFreeSessions, all-age, all-instruments improvised jams based on the late Lawrence Douglas “Butch” Morris’s Conduction method, held monthly at the Westside Theater (they were begun at Imagine Nation Brewing and during the pandemic were held online). In Naomi’s words, “This is central to the mission of the ‘FreeSessions’ – creating a space for Missoula musicians to connect, listen, collaborate, and experiment across scenes and genres. The FreeSessions aims to be an incubation ground for new projects and new sounds. It is a place to improvise and explore ideas, a place to take on new roles as a musician instead of sticking to what is conventional, a place to transcend genre norms, and foster a supportive, listening community.”
Describing herself as “a dedicated advocate for intersectional gender justice in jazz and music settings, especially educational institutions,” Naomi has written extensively on “making music in the patriarchy,” a vital discussion to be had everywhere. Her honest explorations of the topic, as well as her musical oeuvre, have been inspirations to young women among many others throughout this state. Jazz Hero Naomi Moon Siegel embodies expressivity, innovation and collaborative generosity, opening spaces conducive to creativity for performers and audiences alike.
By MJ Williams
