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.