• NEXT EDITION
  • 23-27 OCT 2024
  • Manchester, UK

The Conference Samurai 2022

For me, WOMEX brings different communities together who want to engage in a fairer, more equitable and engaged music sector and society. The conference is the ideal place to carry out a much needed global exchange along the lines of equity and diversity in every aspect of the music world. It is a true honour to join forces with Boima Tucker as 2022 Conference Samurais to help shape the next WOMEX conversations.

- Marie Fol (France/Belgium)

 

 

Photo by Michael Rathmayr

Marie Fol (France/Belgium)

Marie is an independent advisor, cultural manager, and researcher based in Belgium. An advocate for international cultural collaboration, Marie is the President of Belgian based On the Move, the international network dedicated to cultural mobility. In addition, she works with Keychange, the global movement for gender equality in the music industry.

 

 

Photo by Taliesin Gilkes Bower

Boima Tucker (Sierra Leone/USA)

Chief Boima is a Sierra Leonean-American music producer, DJ, writer, and cultural activist. He is the managing editor of Africa is a Country, co-founder of Kondi Band and the founder of the INTL BLK record label.

The Showcase Samurai 2022

I deeply believe that music is a path and an opportunity for dialogue between people. It teaches us to learn to listen, to respect and appreciate balance and diversity, to understand harmony, and to produce and work in teams.

- António Guimarães (Portugal)

 

 

Marcus Gora (Zimbabwe)

Marcus Tawanda Gora is based in Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. He is a band manager for Mokoomba, Zimbabwe’s top touring music group and festival manager for the annual Jacaranda Music Festival. Marcus is also a co-founder and director at First Floor Gallery in Harare and deputy chairperson of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe board.

 

António Miguel Guimarães (Portugal)

Over the years, António Miguel Guimarães has been the founder of several music business projects, including a recording studio, a sound and light company, an independent music label house, along with creating one of Portugal's first artist promotion agencies. Currently, he is the proprietor and general manager of AMG music, bringing Portuguese music, events, companies and artists to an international audience. AMG Music is the local partner of WOMEX 21 and WOMEX 22 in Portugal.

 

 

Agustín López Costa Paz (Spain)

Agustin Lopez Costa Paz leads the Industria Works/Nacional Records Spain office, an independent music company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Agustin works with Latin American and Spanish artists and has worked with Nicola Cruz, Fuel Fandango, Mala Rodriguez, Chancha Vía Circuito, El Búho, among many others.

 

 

Hadas Vanunu (Israel)

Hadas Vanunu has been involved with the music industry in Israel for over twenty years. For a decade, she was the artistic director of one of the biggest and most famous music venues in Israel - The Yellow Submarine. In addition, Hadas is a co-founder and artistic director of the Israel International Music Showcase Festival (IMSF) and chief producer and head of the artistic team of the Jerusalem International Jazz festival.

 

 

Photo by M. Jagnus

Joanna Wiedro-Żak (Poland)

Joanna's musical journey started in 2012 when she fell in love with the wild music from the heart of Poland. She manages some of the leading Polish folk bands: Janusz Prusinowski Kompania, Tęgie Chłopy, Lautari and Maniucha & Ksawery, while running the Wodzirej music agency and cooperating with Mazurkas of the World Festival, a Spring carnival in the heart of Warsaw, a celebration of traditional music, dance and song.

The Club Summit Curator 2022

 

Photo by Piero dall'Osso

Juan Ortiz de Zaldumbide (Colombia/Sweden)

Juan is co-founder and partner of M3 Music, the management company behind the global success of Latin alternative and electronic music artists such as Bomba Estéreo, Mitú, and others. Juan moved from Colombia to Sweden 4 years ago and works as a consultant with his own firm driving vision and creativity to strengthen the bonds between music companies around the globe.

 

 

WOMEX Jury Process in a Nutshell

The WOMEX Jury, established in 1999, comprises independent jury members, who change annually and who come from all over the world.

Our yearly call for proposals is open to any artist or music professional, living in any country or region globally. Based on the proposals submitted to them, the WOMEX Jury aims and strives to build a balanced programme.

They balance their programme by taking into account various elements of diversity and inclusivity (among them gender, culture, indigeneity, age, performance style, representation, professional readiness, advocacy, tradition, innovation, and region) that are required on stage and in the Conference sessions.

The WOMEX Jury's selection reflects the proposals received every year. If you, our beloved community, perceive any elements missing, then please help us by spreading the word, and help us fill any gaps with your pro-active encouragement and outreach. We are open for all input!