Your Jazz Career

26/07/2021

This Wednesday, July 28th, I will give a workshop to high-performing musicians on branding for artists on invitation by The Fearless Artist. There are still some open slots left!

Are you struggling with describing your true self and would you love more clarity on your artistic identity?

Join this interactive and hands-on workshop at: https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/workshops

10/05/2021

Do you lead as a jazz artist? What lessons learned from years on the bandstand fuel your leadership style? Below my take on what a jazz approach to leading means. I would love to hear about your lessons learned. To share is to lead ;)

Read my blog post here:

Lead as a jazz artist with empathy, adaptability, and more effectiveness by activating your inner Jazz Mindset.

08/03/2021

So, the first pop bands started using blockchain:
https://www.rollingstone.com/.../kings-of-leon-when-you.../

Sounds great for artist empowerment, but is it?
This blog post by Seth Godin is worth the read on NFTs:
https://seths.blog/2021/03/nfts-are-a-dangerous-trap/...

According to Seth: "The more time and passion that creators devote to chasing the NFT, the more time they’ll spend trying to create the appearance of scarcity and hustling people to believe that the tokens will go up in value. They’ll become promoters of digital tokens more than they are creators. Because that’s the only reason that someone is likely to buy one–like a stock, they hope it will go up in value. Unlike some stocks, it doesn’t pay dividends or comes with any other rights. And unlike actual works of art, NFTs aren’t usually aesthetically beautiful on their own, they simply represent something that is. ... NFTs are going to be more like Kindle books and YouTube videos. The vast majority are going to have ten views, not a billion. It’s an unregulated, non-transparent hustle with ‘bubble’ written all over it."

And then, there are the environmental costs of blockchain...

That one digital token that you own could use up more energy than your household in a year... If you're pro-environment, you're anti-NFT. It's that simple. Let's not add and participate in another huge energy-consuming "industry". Especially, when, most likely, only some early adopters and big investors will profit anyways.

I still prefer just holding that vinyl in my hand and putting it on the turntable.

Like most traps, they’re mysterious and then appealing and then it’s too late. An NFT is digital treasure chest, a status symbol and an apparent item of value. Like a Pokemon card, or a…

09/02/2021

Great conversation with a lot of take-aways between Seth Godin and Adam Grant on 'Think Again"
One of the reasons I seldom post political opinions is exactly these three mindsets: the Preacher, the Politician and the Prosecutor. We don’t have to be right. Let’s leave our Ego at the door and focus more on deep listening, asking questions and sharing perspectives for mutual learning and inspiration.

10/01/2021

Does being a real artist depend on having a successful music career? I think most artists can benefit from separating jobs from a career, and understanding why you do which. Does your career have a job? And in addition, now that your hobby became your passion, what's your new hobby?

A blog post inspired by author Elizabeth Gilbert and her amazing book on living a creative life 'Big Magic'.

Separate your hobbies, jobs, career and vocation to build a more diverse portfolio career. Different activities serve different purposes.

26/11/2020

My latest blog post at Your Jazz Career translates Simon Sinek's Golden Circle model to the reality of being an artist. Are you in need of a tool to create deeper connections with fans, press, fellow artists and music industry professionals? Look no further 🔥👊📢

Deepen connections with your audience, peers and industry professionals by implementing the Golden Circle tool for artists.

12/10/2020

I truly believe in the transformative superpower that lay dormant in our own values. In this blog post at Your Jazz Career, I show you how two great artists - Pharoah Sanders and Vulfpeck - do this very effectively in their music and marketing. Be more of you!

Quote: "Humans are complex. It is truly impossible to express your full personality to another person. Ask yourself, does your partner after 6 years of relationship truly know everything there is to know about you? Of course not. What does that mean for your promotion and other communications as a professional artist? It requires you to focus on the essentials. What are the core elements of who you are, your artistic vision and what you stand for? What fuels your music and all other communication with people? This is where your core values serve as a beacon of light. They create a greater sense of self as an artist. That is what true branding is: an infusing of your true self in all your communication with others."

Do you need a compass for infusing your art and career with more personality and purpose? This article with inspiring examples shows you how.

29/09/2020

Are you striving for a more authentic music career but struggling on how to realize that? Then this blog post at YourJazzCareer is for you. It is time to unlock the magical and transformative superpowers of your values! As John Coltrane said:

“Music is an expression of higher ideals … brotherhood is there; and I believe with brotherhood, there would be no poverty … there would be no war … I know that there are bad forces, forces put here that bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be a force which is truly for good.”

Are you ready to unleash your version of brotherhood upon the world? Then check the full article here:
https://www.yourjazzcareer.com/a-value-driven-music-career-part-i-2/

11/09/2020

In The Spirit Of Sharing 2 ❤️🔥💪
I just finished reading for Your Jazz Career the great little gem of a book by poet & coach Marc Mcguinness "21 Insights for 21st Century Creatives". His website & podcast at Lateral Action are worth a visit! A short quote:

Insight 18 Hustling is part of your job
"If I had a bitcoin for every creative who has told me I’m really good at my work, so why am I struggling? I could fund a manned mission to Mars. If you’re a maker or performer who says, I just need someone to deal with the business side of things while I get on with my work, you are kidding yourself. Because dealing with the business side of things is your job. And getting in the room with the client is your job. Hustling—in other words, engaging with people and making things happen—is your job. ... Until you accept that hustling is part of your job, you accept it and the better you get at it, the sooner you will taste success."

I fully agree with Mark. Your definition of being an artist should always include creating music and 'the business side of music'. Embracing the second part makes you a professional. But, that doesn't take away your inner resistance, right? Wouldn't it be great if you could do the work, reach your goals AND enjoy the journey along the way?

Isn't that a better definition of success?

I think that's possible. And it requires a different perspective. A way to do this is to merge as much as possible the two boxes: Box 1 Music and Box 2 The Business side of Music.

You do that by seeing both as a way to be creative, a way to express your personality and your message. By making Box 2 as similar to Box 1 as possible. By infusing your business activities with the same flame and creativity. Sounds impossible?

Ask yourself, do actions A, B, C reflect who I am? Am I treating them as separate entities from my art or did I infuse them with my personality? That will make it human. Did you also infuse it with your creativity? That will make it (closer to) artistic. Human & Artistic. Doesn't that sound more enjoyable?

Add to Human and Artistic a third element "The Other" and we're there. How can I send this invoice, be creative (add your latest single, or cool artwork on layout?) AND put a smile on the face of the receiver? How can I do these things in a way that they accomplish the task/goal AND incorporate my values, express who I am and serve others? That would make me feel better. How about you?

The reality is: there are only two boxes if YOU believe there are. Isn't that an empowering thought?

If you are up for challenging your own paradigms, please feel free to check my coaching services at:
https://www.yourjazzcareer.com/coaching-2-2/