Monthly Archives : September 2016

ARTISTS ARE MAKING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS PER PERFORMANCE

Is this not why we aspire to become rock stars? Is this not what every aspiring musician dreams about. We all want it, but when we see the numbers we think, wow, is that person really worth that? Somehow we never think about this even when we are paying those $100+ for tickets until we see the headlines.

There are two factors I see that would justify such a number and they cannot be separated in my opinion.

1. Musical/visual performance –
A performer must be an exceptional artist in their craft, whether its an individual or band. Whether they are a vocal or instrumental performer. They should be damn good at what they do. In this day and age too many musicians are famous but not very good musicians. Pop culture relies more on image, social media saturation and even (dare I say) notoriety. Their show should be entertaining. The visual and artistic value of the performance should be exceptional.

2. Headline power and ticket sales –
Some artists by the nature of their star power will generate more ticket sales than others. This can be influenced by many factors, new releases, popularity in social media, chart performance, previous performances and music videos just to name a few. Venue and event organizers rely on the artist’s popularity to generate ticket sales. So if the sales are in the millions the artists should get a proportional amount of that pie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another reason why the amount is so high is a result of what organizers, sponsors marketers will pay just to have these performers make an appearance (not even perform). For example Rihanna earns up to $100,000 just to attend parties and runway shows. The Rihanna brand is so valuable, fashion houses want photos taken of her in their front row, and they are willing to pay big for that association. Why do you think so many artists are branding their names on fragrance, clothing and whatever you’ll dish out your hard working money on. It not only make more money for them on the side but it also increases their money clout for performances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here (via Priceonomics) is a leaked list of what some performers made per performance. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at this list. These are only the asking price. Many will go down after negotiations. The amounts are also before expense. That can increase the price. There are many artists making money in this range that are not on this list. Also on this list are artists that are not musicians.

MUSIC MATTERS TO BLACK LIVES

There is no doubt that with the recent issues that have come to light as a result of the much publicized shootings and beatings on minorities (and yes I dare say black people) in the states have unearthed a big open sore that just won’t heal.  This issue isn’t new and isn’t going away anytime soon.

So what do we do about it?  That question has powerful urgencies and importance at all levels of society.  From the highest reaches of government, political hierarchy and corporate empires right down to the starving children living on some of the poorest streets.  And this issue is by no means confined to the United States of America or just black people.  Take a quick look at what’s happening around the world racially and politically and you will see the question is bigger than us (and I include Canada in the mix).

I wish I could say that I have an answer to it all but I don’t.  And though I sympathize and stand with those who need my support, I also believe we all have a part to play. We all have a responsibility not only to each other but to the people who serve and protect us.  Let me say it now.  Not all police officers are bad.  Not all judicial systems are bad or corrupt.  Let’s not lose sight of that and start spiraling  into anarchy. 

Having said that, this blog is about music and this post is about the music that has been surfacing as a result of that ‘Question’.  Now, I sincerely hope that all of these offerings are truly genuine, heartfelt reactions, protests and concerns for the lives of not only those being oppressed but those who are subjected to it’s aftermath. In this day and age of fast everything, social networks, light speed information and video everywhere, there is always the lure to make a quick buck or take advantage and jump on the publicity bandwagon.  Let’s hope this is not the case.

So without further ado or verbal diatribe from me, here are some of the music coming out of this important issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRSag8y38Yg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=53&v=9VzpCmRtCL0

ARTISAN ANGELO MARINOSCI … SONGSTER, POET AND PHOTOGRAPHER

Normally I would write the article on the people I find fascinating and worth promoting but in this artist’s case I can’t do justice to his story. This singer, songwriter, poet and photographer has over 1300 songs alone on Fandalism and Youtube and he keeps spinning them out with no sign of slowing down. You probably wouldn’t believe all the things I would tell you about this gentleman. So I’ll let it come from the man himself. Here is Angelo ‘Papa’ Marinosci.

“I was born in 1947 so I’ll soon to be a thousand years old. I began making music, much like everyone, in my early teens on a cheap little folk guitar. My early experiences with making music were a mixed bag of Country-Western, and Bluegrass, and a touch of Folk… while I was still dancing to Rock & Roll and listening to progressive Jazz. I am unstudied in music but hold a number of degrees in Art and Art Education. I worked and traveled in (Photo) Journalism and other different areas of Photography throughout my life and exhibited Painting (Metaphysical-Surrealism) and Photography (Street Candids) as well as playing out as a Musician (solo folk performer).

As with many self-taught musicians, I lusted after most experiences in music. I liked sitting in on, or creating, Jam-sessions. I liked concerts, festivals, bars, coffee houses, open mics…you name it. That changed as I began writing/creating more original materials when I started seeking out true listening audiences. As with my other art forms and activities, I never wanted to be mainstream, but was always looking for my audience. Most of my painting is probably of little or no interest to most people, and the same can be said of my photography…and for my music as well. I have no interest in a commercial success, but rather, finding my audience that can enjoy what I do. I claim either very few influences but I know that probably every sound I’ve ever heard has had some sort of effect on my relationship to every sound I make. Personally, I enjoy most art and photography and music.

I believe that Art, all art, is like a mirror…. People see or hear what they want or need to see or hear in what they expose themselves to. I like to think that my work is universal in some meaningful and honest way. What I make or show or sing; renders me open and vulnerable…it exposes me completely. It’s truly a universal language… it’s not about fame or fortune or stardom… it’s about meaningful self expression.

My photography has mostly been about the world out there, my painting has mostly expressed my inner world, and my music has been the sum total of my philosophical glue, my religion, that holds it all together. It’s not about mixture of colors, or chord progressions or choice of lenses (that’s just nuts and bolts) …its about the inherent aesthetic that I hope to have “woven” throughout my life and have tried to present it in some meaningful and honest way.

When I sing and play, I like to have small receptive audiences so that I can sing from the heart and play to my best ability… not to impress, but to share and hopefully be shared.
Most of my songs have been created spontaneously and straight from the heart without filter or scrutiny; with out overworking and wearing down the texture of the original idea.
A good piece of art should ask more questions that it answers. I use some of my experiences or even borrowed experiences, or lucid dreams, to feed my process. In the end I am only one small voice that I hope will be heard.

A few years ago I was invited to join a music site and began contributing my musical posts on-line and was thankfully well received. As my age stood out on this youth oriented new media, I soon affectionately acquired the nick-name “Papa”…which then caught on as “Papa Angelo.” I was honoured… having only just become a father a few years earlier, and having called my own father “Papa” …which means father in Italian and whose name was Angelo…I felt well prepared to use my new label.

I’ve earned and learned the value of nicknames and titles in life. When I was a youngster I was called “Junior” by my friends and family, not to be confused with my father… later I was Sergeant Marinosci during my military service… and then Professor Marinosci in the classroom when I taught college, and even “Uncle Jay” when I was hosting on radio for several years. I’m sure I’ve been called worst by some folks but “Papa Angelo” is an honorary title and I use it proudly.

Today, my brand of music is considered Americana-folk-blues and I proudly make it and hope it is worthy of the traditions it represents. In my own estimation, I have a fair voice, some ability on guitar and related instruments and I write pretty good songs. I hope my honest delivery is what people enjoy the most…enough to share it as I have.”

Below are just a few examples of Angelos’s work.  You can find more here and here

JOEY ALEXANDER THE GREAT

CAN YOU REALLY APPRECIATE HOW TALENTED THIS KID IS?

In a previous post I did on child prodigies I mentioned this young kid but didn’t really give you the full scoop on this little miracle of nature.

This kid literally came out of nowhere (Indonesia of all places) and is playing jazz piano that rivals the best today or any other period has offered. Now that’s a bold statement but seriously I’m not kidding. Ask Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and counless other jazz masters who have played with or come in contact with this little guy.

This kid is unreal. He plays not only with highly tuned technique and knowledge but with finesse, feeling and soul. Damn, he’s only 13.

Whether you know anything about jazz or nothing at all about jazz, when you listen and watch this kid, it is mesmerizing and totally unbelievable what you are witnessing. The mental and physical toughness it takes to play this type of music is one thing but the emotionallity and mindful peace that the music demands is not for the light hearted, never mind a 13 year old (actually he was doing it at age 8…ya I said 8.

So who is this kid?
Indonesian, Josiah Alexander Sila, born June 25, 2003, taught himself to play the piano by age 6. His father bought him jazz records which he learned to play by ear on a miniature electric keyboard. He was already playing for Herbie Hancock at age 8. He and his parents moved to New York in 2014 and he released his first album in 2015 at age 11. Is that extraordinary or what?

Allen Morrison of Down Beat magazine said at a performance of Joey’s: “If the word ‘genius’ still means anything, it applies to this prodigy. He played his own solo variations on ‘Round Midnight’ with a breathtaking precocity and mastery of several decades of piano style.
Marsalis said of him, “There has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age. I loved everything about his playing – his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music.”
Newport Festival producer George Wein said “Alexander distinguished himself with “the maturity of his harmonic approach”.

The Music That Shaped Me (part 4 of 4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R&B and Hip Hop

OK, I must admit I probably know more about jazz and rock than I do about R&B and Hip Hop. I believe the reasons for that are geographical and demo graphical. You see, I grew up in an area where there weren’t many people of colour. In my high school for example, I was the only black person in the entire school for the first two years. So I didn’t get the influences of the music my culture was listening to.

That’s not to say I didn’t listen. Even back then you couldn’t possibly avoid the lure of 70’s and 80’s R&B or emerging Hip Hop. For me, another reason I didn’t latch on to those types of music is that I’m not really a vocal music person. I love instrumental music (why I love jazz and classical so much). If you asked me the words to a popular song I’m sure I would stumble. A song may be popular and I may like it but I just don’t pay attention to the words. I’m all about the instruments and the interaction between them.

That said, there were some influences that were significant to me and for varying reasons (again most likely having to do with the music behind the vocalist) but really in this category it’s hard to miss the sound of a good singer or the power of a good rhyme. Here are the R&B and Hip Hop artists that shaped my musical me. Of course there were many, but these are the big one. (again the videos are just examples of their music).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWjIKpjhH0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2JBMNBbKo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJUk45l4h8c