SHATTER THE GLASS!

Founded in January 2007 by saxophonist/composer Sarah Manning, the mission of Shatter the Glass is to:

* provide a strong role model of a woman-led group in the male dominated jazz industry

* encourage participation in jazz by women and girls

* bring the music to a wider demographic through a transparent look at a working ensemble and presentations in non-traditional venues.

By the age of 30, this emerging artist has produced two albums as a composer and bandleader and performed at top venues from Yoshi’s in Oakland to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. Along with profiles in the Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, and Contra Costa Times, she has appeared on radio stations from KCSM to KPFA. With these career milestones also comes a first hand experience of the institutionalized gender discrimination in the commercial jazz industry - where the critics, talent buyers and even fans are predominantly male.

Tired of waiting for the industry to change from within, Manning introduces an ensemble designed to actively engage the public with these issues and bring jazz to a new demographic.

Shatter the Glass is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Shatter the Glass may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.