Sisterhood of Sound

Maria Mendes

Join Grammy-nominated artist Maria Mendes as she dives into the minds of the most groundbreaking women in music today. Through seven thought-provoking questions inspired by Proust’s questionnaire, each episode reveals the challenges, triumphs, and untold stories behind their journeys to success. Bold voices, extraordinary journeys—every week, tune in to be inspired! Check out exclusive content on Patreon | Patreon.com/mariamendesjazz Host & Producer | Maria Mendes Original Song | Maria Mendes Mix & Mastering | Marius Holland & Disquesi Studios Branding Design | Liliana Carvalho

  1. JAN 27

    Gaby Moreno: Roots, Songcraft & Global Voices | Sisterhood of Sound #_39

    Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sound Podcast! Guatemalan singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Gaby Moreno is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary global music. With a career spanning over 18 years, her artistry seamlessly blends blues, jazz, Latin, folk, and Americana, rooted in storytelling, emotional honesty, and cultural depth. A GRAMMY Award winner and two-time Latin GRAMMY Award winner, Gaby has released nine studio albums as a bandleader, earning international acclaim for her warm vocals, poetic songwriting, and genre-defying sound. Her collaborations span an extraordinary range of artists, including Tracy Chapman, Omara Portuondo, Ani DiFranco, Hugh Laurie, Jackson Browne, Van Dyke Parks, and Oscar Isaac, reflecting a musical language that transcends borders. Beyond the stage, Gaby is a powerful advocate for cultural diversity and gender equity in music. She mentors emerging female artists and made history as the first UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from Guatemala, using her platform to amplify voices and stories often left unheard. In this episode, Gaby reflects on identity, resilience, creativity, and the responsibility of carrying culture through song — offering an intimate look into a career shaped by purpose as much as artistry. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday!Subscribe, like, and leave a comment to join the celebration. EXCLUSIVE CONTENTwww.patreon.com/mariamendesjazz FollowGaby Moreno – https://www.gabymoreno.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazzSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53 #SisterhoodOfSound #PodcastLaunch #GabyMoreno #WomenInMusic #LatinGrammyWinner #GrammyWinner #SingerSongwriter #GlobalMusic #LatinFolk #BluesJazz #WomenComposers #CreativeVoices #CulturalIdentity #MusicWithPurpose #UNICEFGoodwillAmbassador #IndependentArtists #BehindTheMusic #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #GrammyNominee #LatinGrammyNominee

    30 min
  2. JAN 20 · BONUS

    EXTRA 5 with LAVINIA MEIJER | Sisterhood Of Sound #38

    In this special segment, internationally acclaimed harpist, composer, and recording artist Lavinia Meijer joins us for a quick, bold, and refreshingly candid Q&A. Known for expanding the harp beyond classical tradition into contemporary, electronic, and avant-garde worlds, Lavinia brings curiosity, creativity, and fearless perspective to this rapid-fire session. With a career spanning 25+ years, two gold records, one platinum record, an ECHO Klassik Award nomination, and over 12 albums as a bandleader, Lavinia has become one of the most pioneering harp voices of her generation. She has collaborated with visionary artists including Philip Glass, Sufjan Stevens, Iggy Pop, Brad Mehldau, Ólafur Arnalds, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Alexandra Stréliski, creating a sound world where boundaries disappear. 🎧 Watch & listen now — available on all streaming platforms & YouTube!Missed the full conversation? Check out the main episode for a deeper dive into Lavinia’s artistry, innovation, and her environmental awareness through music. Follow:Lavinia Meijer – https://www.laviniameijer.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazzSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53 #Podcast #MusicIndustry #SisterhoodOfSound #LaviniaMeijer #WomenInMusic #WomenInClassicalMusic #Harpist #HarpMusic #ContemporaryClassical #ExperimentalMusic #AvantGardeMusic #ElectronicMusic #CreativeVoices #MusicInnovation #PhilipGlass #SufjanStevens #IggyPop #BradMehldau #OlafurArnalds #RyuichiSakamoto #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #GrammyNominee #LatinGrammyNominee #BehindTheMusic #FunQandA #ArtistLife #IndependentArtists #CreativeProcess #MusicInterview

    8 min
  3. JAN 18

    Cécile McLorin Salvant: Art Curator, Jazz Vocalist | Sisterhood of Sound #29

    Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sound Podcast! Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Cécile McLorin Salvant is an American vocalist, composer, and lyricist celebrated for revitalizing forgotten songs with theatrical flair, narrative depth, and striking originality. With seven studio albums as a bandleader, she has become one of the most visionary voices in contemporary jazz. A recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, the Doris Duke Artist Award, and the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize, Cécile bridges tradition and innovation through her bold storytelling and musical intelligence. In this episode, she opens up about her artistic process, visual art, and Ogresse—her self-written cantata now evolving into an animated film. Cécile has collaborated with Sullivan Fortner, Fred Hersch, Darcy James Argue, Aaron Diehl Trio, Alexa Tarantino, and performed with leading orchestras including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the Metropole Orkest, and The Knights. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday!Subscribe, like, and comment to join the celebration. EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: www.patreon.com/mariamendesjazz Follow:Cécile McLorin Salvant – https://www.cecilemclorinsalvant.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazzSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53 #SisterhoodOfSound #PodcastLaunch #CecileMcLorinSalvant #WomenInJazz #StorytellingThroughMusic #VocalJazz #JazzVocalist #MacArthurFellow #WomenComposers #CreativeVoices #WomenInMusic #BehindTheMusic #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #GrammyWinner #JazzAtLincolnCenter #MetropoleOrkest #Ogresse #GrammyNominee #LatinGrammyNominee

    1h 4m
  4. JAN 13

    Lavinia Meijer: The Harp Revolution Beyond Genres | Sisterhood of Sound #37

    Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sound Podcast! Lavinia Meijer is an internationally acclaimed harpist, composer, and recording artist with a career spanning 25+ years across classical, contemporary, and experimental music. With a fearless artistic vision, Lavinia has helped redefine the harp’s role in modern culture—bringing it into new worlds of electronic, avant-garde, and cross-genre collaboration. With two gold records, one platinum record, an ECHO Klassik Award nomination, and over 12 albums as a bandleader, Lavinia has become one of the most pioneering voices for the harp today. She has collaborated with visionary artists including Philip Glass, Sufjan Stevens, Iggy Pop, Brad Mehldau, Ólafur Arnalds, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Alexandra Stréliski, building a sound that moves effortlessly between tradition and innovation. Beyond the stage, Lavinia continues to expand the global harp repertoire while also bringing environmental awarenessinto her artistic work—proving that music can inspire both imagination and responsibility. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday!Subscribe, like, and leave a comment to join the celebration. EXCLUSIVE CONTENTwww.patreon.com/mariamendesjazz FollowLavinia Meijer – https://www.laviniameijer.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazzSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53 #SisterhoodOfSound #PodcastLaunch #LaviniaMeijer #WomenInMusic #WomenInClassicalMusic #Harpist #ContemporaryClassical #ExperimentalMusic #AvantGardeMusic #ElectronicMusic #MusicInnovation #CreativeVoices #BehindTheMusic #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #GrammyNominee #LatinGrammyNominee #IndependentArtists #PhilipGlass #SufjanStevens #RyuichiSakamoto

    36 min
  5. 12/31/2025

    Nicole Zuraitis: Independent Artist Power& Resilience Beyond the Odds | Sisterhood of Sound #35

    Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sound Podcast! Nicole Zuraitis is a 2× GRAMMY Award–winning jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger and educator known for her emotional storytelling, vocal power, and genre-crossing creativity. With a career spanning more than 15 years and six studio albums as a bandleader, Nicole has become a defining voice in contemporary vocal jazz. A 6× GRAMMY nominee, winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition, and named a Rising Star Vocalistby DownBeat Magazine and the Jazz Journalists Association, Nicole has collaborated with leading artists including Christian McBride, Dan Pugach, Veronica Swift, Antônio Sánchez, Thana Alexa, Rachel Z, and Omar Joaquin, and previously served as the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band. Beyond the stage, Nicole advocates for mental-health awareness, environmental responsibility, and animal-rescue activism. Together with her husband Dan Pugach, she has fostered over 13 rescue dogs, integrating compassion and community into her artistic mission. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday!Subscribe, like, and leave a comment to join the celebration. EXCLUSIVE CONTENTwww.patreon.com/mariamendesjazz FollowNicole Zuraitis – https://www.nicolezmusic.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazzSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53 #SisterhoodOfSound #PodcastLaunch #NicoleZuraitis #WomenInJazz #JazzVocalists #GrammyWinner #GrammyNominee #WomenComposers #CreativeVoices #WomenInMusic #BehindTheMusic #JazzPiano #BirdlandBigBand #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #IndependentArtists #VocalJazz #JazzEducation

    48 min
  6. 12/23/2025

    EXTRA 5 with Lakecia Benjamin | Sisterhood of Sound Podcast #34

    EXTRA 5 is a brand-new segment from the Sisterhood of Sound Podcast, where our guests answer five exclusive questions you won’t hear in the full episode!New content drops every Tuesday — one week, a full in-depth interview, the next, this exciting rapid-fire session!In this special segment, 5× GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist, composer, educator, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin joins us for a quick, bold, and brilliantly candid Q&A. Known for her electrifying presence on stage and her powerful fusion of jazz, soul, and contemporary music, Lakecia brings humor, honesty, and unstoppable energy to this rapid-fire session.With a career spanning 20+ years — including collaborations with McCoy Tyner, Ravi Coltrane, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and The Roots — Lakecia has become one of the defining voices of modern jazz. She is also the founder of Women of the World, an initiative dedicated to empowering women musicians and expanding equity in jazz education.🎧 Watch & listen now — available on all streaming platforms & YouTube!Missed the full conversation? Check out the main episode for an inspiring deep dive into Lakecia’s artistic vision, leadership, and advocacy for women in jazz.Follow:Lakecia Benjamin – https://www.lakeciabenjamin.comMaria Mendes – https://www.instagram.com/mariamendesjazz |Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BTAvohFPOilgPk8Mddv53#Podcast #MusicIndustry #Shorts #SisterhoodOfSound #LakeciaBenjamin #WomenInJazz #Saxophonists #JazzInnovation #WomenComposers #CreativeVoices #JazzEducation #JazzAdvocacy #ModernJazz #MariaMendes #MariaMendesJazz #GrammyNominee #LatinGrammyNominee #WomenInMusic #BehindTheMusic

    4 min

About

Join Grammy-nominated artist Maria Mendes as she dives into the minds of the most groundbreaking women in music today. Through seven thought-provoking questions inspired by Proust’s questionnaire, each episode reveals the challenges, triumphs, and untold stories behind their journeys to success. Bold voices, extraordinary journeys—every week, tune in to be inspired! Check out exclusive content on Patreon | Patreon.com/mariamendesjazz Host & Producer | Maria Mendes Original Song | Maria Mendes Mix & Mastering | Marius Holland & Disquesi Studios Branding Design | Liliana Carvalho