Happy New Year!
What an amazing year this has been. Thank you for your support. Hope to see you at a show soon.
Please enjoy this video recorded live with Del Ray on ukelele and Cary Black on Bass.
0 What Are You Doing NYE?
0 Thanksgiving Jazz Playlist
Back by popular demand, please enjoy my Thanksgiving Jazz playlist on Spotify* . This compilation is perfect for background music during your holiday dinner or while enjoying a beverage when all of your guest have gone home.
I’m deeply thankful for so much this year, especially each and every one of you. Your support means the world to me. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
*Signing up for Spotify is free and the best way to avoid ads and support musicians (Yes! Spotify sends me a check every now and then) is to upgrade to the $5 per month “Unlimited” option. To mute Spotify ads on a Mac download SpotiFree, a simple AppleScript, and for Windows download Blockify. Please use with care and at your own discretion.
0 Less Is More
LESS IS MORE
OR
LESS IS NO MORE
What happened to the sayings “less is more” or “live simply so others can simply live”? As a musician and a human on this planet I have always prided myself in following these words of wisdom. Over the years, however, I have also added my own version of these slogans, “Be simple -yet elegant”. My album covers are one example: they are modest with a basic black and white photo and a timeless font. My recordings follow this same model, they are rarely auto tuned or over produced and I try to avoid elaborate beginnings and endings on my CDs.
Not only do I practice this motto in music I also attempt live by these words. I don’t drive a fancy car and by some standards my home is minimalistic. When I write I try to keep it simple.
For the first time in years my philosophy is being challenged. This year I have been trying to accelerate my music career and look for a day job. Everywhere I turn, I find myself struggling with the conflict of practicing simplicity while advancing myself and my music. For example, if I want to promote a show or CD on Facebook I’m told I must BE LOUD! This means posting something everyday to show up on friends and fan’s Facebook news feeds. The other day I found myself taking a photo of the quote on my tea bag so I could be seen and possibly get noticed so people would come to my next gig. As I pressed the post button I shook my head, realizing I am now officially one of those annoying inspirational quote Facebook people. The scary part was I then found myself scheming how to dress up my cat up and have him dance in my next music video – or my MEOW-sic video. What is happening to my morals?
Where is the dignity?
Another area where I was told to be loud was when soliciting gigs for my band. I was told that when I contacted a jazz club or potential employer, I shouldn’t expect a response until I have made contact with them four times. Four times?! Isn’t that called harassment? Won’t they obtain a restraining order against me?
What I have learned though this self-promotion journey is that until I have an abundance of music gigs, CD sales and Facebook fans, and when my part time dream job comes along, I’m going to have to give up my principals.
Less is no more and it’s time to GET LOUD! …..Here kitty kitty.
0 Huh? What is Snap Chat?
I just read an article about how being a Gen-xer makes me the last generation to have grown up without technology. It also occurred to me that we are also the first generation to learn life skills from our children. Younger generations are teaching their parents and grandparents how to set up Facebook accounts and showing us how to send photos from our phones. When in history can we say that the youth taught the adults how to adapt to changing times? Sure many of the youth in the 60’s presented an often controversial view of the world to their elders, but when in history were skills passed on from the younger generation?
Last night I experienced this first hand. As a musician trying to stay current with the media and technological times, I have been falling short when it comes to learning the latest terms like “tweeting” and “Instagram” – and what is “snap chat?”
As I sat down with the 14 year old who lives in my house to learn the newest forms of communication, I became bleary eyed as she talked extremely fast, pressed lots of keys on my computer and set up my very first “Twitter” account. Although I’m still not sure exactly how my new account works, I do know that this is the first of many lessons I will share with this kid…and I’m looking forward to my next tutorial.
Check out my new twitter account @ambiencejazz
1 Why Hire Live Music For Your Next Party?
When was the last time you attended a wedding or holiday party? Do you remember the food? The color scheme and centerpieces? OR do you remember the music?
Being a professional wedding singer, I have to admit I’m a bit biased when it comes to hiring a live band for special occasions. But having witnessed hundreds of ceremonies and celebrations, I’ve seen time and again how live music can make a big difference.
Did you know:
• 81% of guests say entertainment is the most memorable part of a wedding or special event.
• 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
• Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
• During wedding planning, brides say their highest priority is their wedding dress, followed by the reception site and caterer. Reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities.
• Within one week after their reception, 78% of brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority.
*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003.
SO WHY HIRE A BAND?
A live band helps break the ice.
It’s a fact that not everyone at your party will be social. For your shy co-workers and family, hiring a live band is a great way to keep them entertained and keep the awkward silence to a minimum. Unlike DJs, live bands provide music and a show. A good band can read the room and pick up the tempo when things seem to be moving slowly.
Professional bands take care of the details.
By hiring a live band the host will not have to worry about renting or setting up and sound equipment, assigning a friend as an emcee, or building a music library to play on an IPod. Good live bands are professionals—they show up on time dressed appropriately and take care of what needs to be done to keep the party moving.
THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO HIRING A BAND
1. Book the Band & Your Venue at the Same Time.
When looking at venues, check with the on-site coordinator if there’s room for your preferred band and equipped to handle their sound equipment needs. If you’re planning to rent an outdoor space in a neighborhood or park, make sure to check the local sound ordinances within the community’s bylaws or from the Park Department.
2. Pick a Genre.
Choose a band with a specific sound. In general, bands that cover all genres of music are also pretty mediocre at all genres of music. A band with a specific niche will have spent time studying a smaller range of songs and will be much more polished. GigMasters is a great website to find live music available for hire in your area.
3. Sign a Contract.
Contracts can seem a little intimidating, but they actually protect you just as much as the band. Without a contract, there is nothing to stop your band from canceling hours before the event. Be very specific about your expectations and make sure any additional services such as an extra hour of music, song requests, band attire, etc. are included in the contract. See attached PDF file for suggested questions to ask the band.
Hopefully these tips will help you throughout the planning process. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
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