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May 2022

March 5 at 3:49 PM  · March is Women’s History Month. In case you didn’t know Patrice Bivins.It is probably an understatement for anyone to believe that a female would have an interest in producing and presenting a jazz festival. However, as part of her performing arts organization, Patrice Bivins is the founder and director of the first Alabama Women in Jazz Festival in North Alabama, now entering its 8th year, this program comes under Valley Arts and Entertainment, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which she started over 15 years ago in 2006. Her programs are focused on music education, creative opportunity for performance, community engagement and embracing diversity and inclusion.In 2014, Patrice presented her first women in music jazz focused program in the City of Huntsville at the Big Spring Park East. Now entering its 8th year, she has showcased and provided a platform for underrepresented female performers from all over the state of Alabama as well as musicians, composers, vocalists and educators from regional to international touring women, who have found a place on her stages.“We need to see more women building visibility and getting acknowledged in the arts, because they attend music classes, they do recitals, but when jazz is mentioned the verbiage does not normally include the contributions of females musicians and composers in jazz, but programs like ours are helping to bring their talents to the forefront”.Patrice was born and raised in Huntsville. She was introduced to piano lessons at an early age and played clarinet in band, but aside from this, Patrice had a unique athletic ability. Without any formal training, she started to excel in gymnastics. When she graduated from Butler High School, she wanted to continue her journey of being a gymnast. Upon entering college, she landed a spot on a prominent team at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts (located near Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame) with an Olympic coach. Patrice and her team competed every weekend over 3 years across the New England area. On the advice of family to take a break, she headed out to California to visit relatives. Sometime later, Patrice met her husband who was in a musical family and this put her focus back on music. She enrolled in the UCLA Music Extension and Entertainment Studies Certificate Program, UCLA Music Business Program where major labels, publishers, A&R reps such as Randy Jackson of the Idol, and many other familiar record label personalities would speak in detail to her classes. She gained artist management experience and learned the ropes while working at a publishing company in the Royalties department.“My most memorable music experience was having a chance to manage known as “Maxee”, a member of the female R&B trio Brownstone, prior to her signing with MJJCharmayne Maxwell also  Records. Patrice states, “it’s never too late to reach for goals and dreams”. Upon returning back to Huntsville after 20 plus years, Patrice obtained her B.S. degree in Business Management from Athens State University, received a Master’s in Public Administration and a MBA from Florida Institute of Technology. She has worked hard to share her experiences with students and emerging artists alike. While there are too many unique programs to mention that her organization has presented to embrace and spark the music interest of students, a particular one comes to mind. In 2018, Brandee Younger, an African-American Harpist and composer from NY and protégé of Alice Coltrane presented a round table workshop session at Robert McNair Jr HS with over 45 students including a special needs class attending, which 15 students participated in the masterclass. “They laid exciting little hands carefully on the harp in total amazement “ Patrice has presented many music programs throughout North Alabama, Madison and Morgan counties respective such as with Decatur High School, HHA Boys and Girls, a songwriting and vocal day with about 14 kids from James A Lane Boys and Girls Club, at Lowe Mill. She has offered music participation instruction programs such as a Strings and Blues Workshop at AAA, a Ukulele Gathering B&G Club and Columbia High School Jazz Band of 50 students on stage, had its initial experience of opening for a jazz festival for us on the campus of UAH. We have partnered with many local organizations to support the arts in Huntsville and North Alabama and will continue to do so. In 2015, she was presented with a Women in Jazz Day Proclamation by City of Huntsville. Patrice has served in the community in volunteer capacities such with Arts Council of Huntsville (now Arts Huntsville). Some years ago, she served as a judge for the Homegrown Talent at Panoply and volunteer every year in some capacity, Seeds of Service Volunteer Fair, Volunteer Servolution at the Rock Family Worship, judged at 2007 Kidz 4 Kidz Gospel Talent Extravanga, Decatur Youth Enrichment, volunteer WJAB jazz month fundraising, and others. Memberships have included Huntsville Chamber of Commerce and Decatur Chamber of Commerce and, Community partners UAH Department of Music and UAH Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; arts grantee from Alabama State Council on the Arts. “I’m a person who loves the arts and have dedicated my life to the community as an advocate to keep music art in schools and in the lives of youth in our community. My journey has taken me places that I never imagined and met people that I never imagined. I have had the dark doors closed in my face, but my vision continues to shine like a shining star. I share in the celebration of this Women’s History Month with all of those inspiring women who have achieved success despite the odds and know that we can all take away and learn something from each other.