Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/entertainment industry?

I was still an “emerging artist” when I had my first child. Like many musician mums I’ve spoken to, one of my fears was losing out on work opportunities due to my impending foray into motherhood. Whether conscious or subconscious, when people know you’re a mother, it can change how they perceive you and your ability to do your job. It’s ridiculous, but it’s true. I envied musicians who had the luxury of publicising their pregnancies because their careers were advanced or solid enough to not risk losing out on future work. But, I was nearing 36 and I knew I’d regret not having a child more than I’d regret halting a career that might take many decades longer to build. I was very able to share my concerns about how motherhood would affect my career ambitions with my husband but the decision was mine to make-it was my career that would be put on hold. He would’ve waited longer had I wanted to. I knew having a child would shift my focus and career desire. I knew I would be limited in many ways (time poor, unable to travel/tour for long stints, etc.). But I also knew that having a child would be the greatest adventure and would positively impact my creative work, whether initially or down the line.

As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?

Things feel very time-sensitive. Whether it’s only being able to travel for a short amount of time without your child, applying for a grant for a tour for a certain window that aligns with one’s timeline for growing a family or tending to a child of a specific age, or whether it needs to practise or learn new music in the scant 30 minutes that your child is napping. These limitations are mine to bear. I know they won’t always be in place, but right now, with a toddler and the desire to have another child, motherhood feels limiting in this regard.

What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?

Grants that specifically cover childcare while writing recording music or touring would be great. It’s not a lot of money needed to fill in these blanks, but it’s enough to prevent mothers from composing documenting or performing live if they’re unable to afford childcare.

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry?

I tend to seek out other mothers in the jazz community and lean into conversations with them that are quickly honest and forthcoming. I also enjoy working with musicians who are parents, whether mothers or fathers. There’s an understanding and patience that comes from a place of deep understanding and shared experience. I adore all my musical teammates, but I have a particular fondness for parents who’ve gone before, been deep in the trenches while working, and have emerged armed with a thick skin only parenthood can bestow.

What’s one specific example of an organisation/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents?

I’m biased because I founded and run it, but UK Jazz News’ “Mothers In Jazz” interview series has made tremendous strides in opening up much-needed conversations about parenthood in the jazz industry. It’s nothing tangible in terms of assistance on the ground or on the road, but this shared experience is being spoken about in a very public and ongoing way for the first time and the conversations on the virtual page translate to conversations at gatherings and in-person (conferences, festivals, amongst colleagues).

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate?

People often say that childcare at festivals would be helpful but I’d feel uneasy about leaving my child with child carers they and I do not know. Maybe tacking on money to the fee that would go towards paying for childcare could be helpful and make mothers know they’re valuable to festival and venue programming.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

I’m in awe of all my fellow jazz mothers, especially those who are also married to working/touring jazz musician husbands. Juggling children at the best of times is a challenging skill. But juggling children while pursuing a career in the arts is particularly finicky. Finding space as a mother is so tough. Finding the space to create, which requires energy, focus, and the ability to be inspired and to organise that inspiration into something beautiful, is akin to being a magician. Musician mothers are really magicians of the highest order.