By Kaila Philo, March 28, 2024 –

“‘I liked the way [Lyla] wrote and understood my philosophy and projects,’ Bormet said. ‘I asked her if she would be interested in helping me put together the magazine, and I’m so glad I did because she is phenomenally talented, considerate, and dedicated to [The Turnaround] and our podcast.’

The magazine was launched in the fall of 2022, and features a diverse array of interviews, articles, essays and more. Maisto remembered that Bormet wanted The Turnaround to pay homage to the D.C. DIY zine culture of the 1980s and ‘90s, while also serving as a trade publication for local artists. This year’s entry will include not just written content but also a podcast miniseries, supported by a grant from HumanitiesDC. All of the performers have articles in this year’s edition, like internationally recognized saxophonist Dr. Leigh Pilzer, whose latest record (under Bormet’s label Strange Woman Records) will be featured in the issue.

‘The Turnaround and the festival are definitely connected,’ Maisto told CapitalBop. ‘The common thread is Amy but also the community that writes for it.’”

By Tait Manning, March 30, 2025 — “Bormet emphasized the need for community among women jazz musicians, especially with only one remaining full-time jazz club in the city. ‘It’s more than just a festival. Being able to create this community and create these workshops and jam sessions and to make sure that people are having a place to come together and meet is really crucial,’ said Bormet.”

By Steve Kiviat, March 27, 2024 –“Though the 14th annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival has already hosted multiple events this March, it is closing out the month with a hopping, final weekend. Saturday starts off with a live recording of the Washington Women in Jazz podcast the Turnaround and a celebration of the second issue of fanzine of the same name. Local jazz singer and professor Jessica Boykin–Settles, the guest editor of the Turnaround’s latest print issue, will be interviewing singer and storyteller Dr. Karen Wilson–Ama’Echefu.”

By Carlos Ramirez, March 29, 2025 – “Bormet told WTOP that because local artists have collaborated with those from the West Coast, Europe, and South America, it has ‘really strengthened our scene and also strengthened the understanding that women have always been playing this music since the beginning of jazz. It’s a really beautiful experience, and a lot of people have told me that they really appreciate being there — not only as musicians but also as audience members — seeing women musicians, especially women instrumentalists.’”

By Michael J. West, March 20, 2023 – “There’s too much excitement afoot with the WWJF, particularly with this year’s edition. In addition to Bormet’s trio, the 2023 festival also offered the premiere of an 18-piece big band co-led by Bormet and saxophonist Leigh Pilzer called Celestial Spang-A-Lang! and Biomorphic Forms, the reincarnation of onetime quartet featuring flutist Alex Hamburger. The festival is also using the monthlong event as an opportunity to launch its in-house magazine, The Turnaround, offering scholarship, commentary, and criticism by and about women in jazz.”

By Sriram Gopal, March 3, 2023 – This year’s festival kickoff event is a launch party for The Turnaround, a magazine that Bormet is publishing. Inspired by the zines of yore, the publication will showcase original artwork, music reviews, and in-depth features that discuss representation in jazz and its surrounding media. Many of the initial contributors are people who have been involved with WWJF, but Bormet has also tapped renowned artists like vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater to write pieces for the magazine. ‘We’ve got two young editors. The energy is there and the momentum is there,’ Bormet says of the magazine.