Take Five With LaGrand

AAJ Staff

Contributor since 1995

Various staff members.

Recent articles (1,149 total)

Published: September 20, 2010

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
That would be a uncompromising standard of Excellence, along with my willingness to teach those I encounter.

Did you know...
I lost an opportunity at an investor for $18 Million back in 1992?

CDs you are listening to now:
Kenny DeShields, You Changed Me (Unreleased);
Coko, The Winner In Me (Light Records);
Doobie Powell, The Time Is Now (Chip Off The Block).

Desert Island picks:
Dawkins & Dawkins—Focus St. Germaine—Tourist LaGrand—Creative Moments Vol. 2—LaGrand Records

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
I believe the state of jazz is suffering in a couple of ways. One is that the marketing and advertisement budgets are all but nonexistent, leaving us with thousands of great projects no one knows about. Since no one knows that they even exist or was just released, no demand is generated in stores or on radio.

We are losing so many jazz stations across this country for the same reason. We must demand more to get more. Educate ourselves and step up our marketing game to that of other genres.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
More emphasiz on marketing and advertising, more sales, greater demand for the genre and a willingness to infuse with technology as both an artist and genre.

What is in the near future?
I am working on a couple of potential production contracts, will be overseeing a live New Year's concert, and releasing another artist's project at the beginning of 2011. I am also editing the vocals and mixing for an artist's project from California as we speak. I am about to pick up the ball on my next project, Creative Moments Vol. 1. This will be a vocal project..

By Day:
I am the owner of LaGrand Enterprises, TruReign Recording Studio and LaGrand Records. I have been self-employed since 1996. The services I offer range from sound reinforcement and recording engineering to music production, sound maintenance and consultation, to name just a few.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
actually I would have been a doctor.

Photo Credit
Courtesy of LaGrand

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