Roz Nixon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roz
Nationality	American
Occupation	Producer

Roz Nixon is an American writer and producer who creates many exciting events. She helps talented artists, especially musicians, share their gifts with the world. In 2021, she started "Roz Live: Keeping Artists On Stage." These events helped artists find work during the pandemic.

Over the years, Ms. Nixon has produced many Jazz performances. These shows have featured famous artists like Sandra Reeves Phillips, Me'lisa Morgan, and Jazz superstar Roy Hargrove. She is the founder of Roz Nixon Entertainment. This company produces music festivals, concerts, and other special events. Her company also helps book performers for TV shows, commercials, and movies. People in the entertainment world know Ms. Nixon as a great casting agent. She is known for finding the perfect actor for special roles. Ms. Nixon has also written four plays. These plays often feature songs and poems about famous Jazz musicians. Her concerts and festivals have been held in New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and Istanbul.

Roz Nixon's Career Highlights

Producing Music Festivals

Ms. Nixon is the main producer and founder of "Great Women in Music." This is a month-long festival that celebrates women in Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Soul music. The first festival was in 2001. It featured Jazz legend Gloria Lynne and Gospel Queen Shirley Caesar. Her festivals have also presented other famous performers. These include Phoebe Snow, Macy Gray, and Melba Moore.

Casting for Film and TV

Roz Nixon Entertainment helps cast actors and music artists for movies, TV, and commercials. Actors from her company have appeared in many films. These include Unfaithful, The Devil Wears Prada, American Gangster, and Music and Lyrics. They have also been in TV shows like ... and the City, NYPD Blue, and The Good Wife. Ms. Nixon has also been the casting agent for many commercials. Some of these include ads for Heineken, Verizon, and the New York Knicks.

Writing Plays and Musicals

As a writer, Ms. Nixon has created several plays. One of her plays is "Nothin' But The Blues." Another is "Dedicated To Louis Armstrong." This was the first play ever performed at a major Jazz festival. She also wrote "SS Nirvana: A Story of Love & Jazz on the High Seas." This musical was shown at Birdland in New York City. It's a fantasy Jazz musical set on a cruise ship. It features legendary Jazz artists like Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, and Billy Eckstine.

• Charles Bartlett played Louis Armstrong.
• Ghanniya Green played Sarah Vaughan.
• JaRon Eames played Billy Eckstine.

In 2005, her musical "Dedicated To Louis Armstrong" was part of the JVC Jazz Festival. This show told the story of Louis Armstrong's life. It used narration, songs, and dance. It was performed at the Blue Note.

In 2000, Ms. Nixon presented her work "To Louis Armstrong" at the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival. She wrote and produced this show. It was performed in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. In New York City, it was performed at the Knitting Factory.

• Roy Hargrove played the trumpet.
• John Hicks played the piano.
• Bernard Purdie played the drums.
• Christian McBride played the bass.
• Wycliffe Gordon played the trombone.

Author and Media Work

Ms. Nixon has also written a children's book about music. It is called Singin' Big Mae's Blues.

In 2008, Ms. Nixon started writing for Caribbean Life News. She wrote a weekly article about New York City nightlife. She still writes for the paper today. She has also been a host for radio and TV shows. She has also been a speaker at music conferences. She is known as a historian who knows a lot about early female blues musicians.

Plays Written by Roz Nixon

• Nothin’ But the Blues (1997)
• Sisters That Get Everything (1998)
• Dedicated to Louis Armstrong (2000)
• SS Nirvana: A Story of Love & Jazz on the High Seas