The Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO) was formed in 2000 to encourage women and girls to become involved in jazz performance and composition as a career or avocation, to develop the musical, educational and artistic growth of individual musicians, and to foster appreciation of jazz as an art form. SWOJO has become a dynamic force for jazz in the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest. It has performed at clubs, jazz festivals and concert halls on two continents.

SWOJO proudly features the contemporary, original music of regional and international women composers and arrangers including Jill Townsend, Ann Reynolds, Leigh Pilzer, Christine Jensen, Jessie Smith and Nelda Swigget. SWOJO has performed with many female jazz artists including Dee Daniels, Grace Kelly, Mimi Fox, Christine Jensen, Jill Townsend, Sherrie Maricle, Greta Matassa, Sheryl Bailey, Ingrid Jensen and many others. SWOJO has performed at Benaroya Hall, the Vancouver (WA) Wine and Jazz Festival, Seattle Jazz Vespers, Triple Door, Dimitrious Jazz Alley, Bumbershoot, Festival Jazz en Lima (Peru) and many others.