Articles by B.D. Lenz

Daily articles carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. Read our popular and future articles.

CHATS WITH CATS June 16, 2020

The Festival Director: Terri Pontremoli

In this installment of Chats with Cats I caught up with Terri Pontremoli who is the Artistic/Executive Director of the Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, in jny: Cleveland, Ohio. Her passion and enthusiasm for the art form and her festival is evident. Our conversation comes at a very unique time and, in our discussion, Ms. Pontremoli addresses how her organization has been actively tackling the disparity of opportunities through education. I also had to get her perspective on the current and long ...

CHATS WITH CATS May 28, 2020

The Manager: Vernon Hammond of The Management Ark

By B.D. Lenz

In this edition of Chats with Cats my subject is an Artist Manager. I wasn't completely sure exactly what duties a manager is responsible for or how an independent artist could best fill that role. I sought out Vernon Hammond to answer these questions because I've known Vernon for several years and have found him most generous with his time and knowledge. We both live in New Jersey and every year, or so, we'll meet up for coffee while he ...

CHATS WITH CATS May 19, 2020

The Radio Presenter: Bob Osborne

By B.D. Lenz

In this edition of Chats with Cats I interviewed a radio presenter. In an earlier column I had spoken to a traditional jazz DJ (Sheila Anderson of WBGO) but, in this digital age, I thought it would also be good to get the perspective of someone who's utilizing the new broadcasting mediums. Internet radio and podcasts have opened up new doors and presenters like Bob Osborne have found a freedom in this new territory. About Bob OsborneBob Osborne ...

CHATS WITH CATS March 16, 2020

The Jazz Label: Marc Free of Posi-Tone Records

By B.D. Lenz

In this edition of Chats with Cats I interviewed someone from a jazz record label. It's no secret that selling music has become much more difficult in recent times so I was wondering what the outlook is for someone who's been doing it for 25 years. It was a nice surprise to hear the optimism that Marc Free holds about the music and the business. He echoed a sentiment I've been hearing throughout all of these interviews that the music ...

CHATS WITH CATS February 17, 2020

The Jazz DJ: Sheila Anderson of WBGO

By B.D. Lenz

In this edition of Chats with Cats I interviewed an on-air host at one of the world's leading jazz radio stations. Sheila Anderson is someone who has worked in many communication mediums but I wanted to find out the status of jazz radio in particular, from someone who is at the center of the jazz broadcasting world. While radio used to hold a near monopoly on breaking new artists that just isn't the case anymore when people in the digital ...

CHATS WITH CATS February 3, 2020

The Festival Presenter: Danny Melnick

By B.D. Lenz

For this edition of Chats with Cats I interviewed a festival presenter and was lucky for the opportunity to speak with someone who really has seen and done it all. Danny Melnick has booked the biggest names at the most prestigious of venues. As a musician always looking to better my own booking skills I, of course, wanted to get some pointers about things I could do to get the attention of presenters and he gave me some sage advice. ...

CHATS WITH CATS December 18, 2019

The Booking Agent: Matt Fripp of Jazzfuel

By B.D. Lenz

So many jazz musicians often face the same cruel task: doing their own booking. It can be a frustrating and discouraging endeavor, but it's necessary to maintain a career. I've had a lot of experience with it and discuss the basics in my column, Mind Your Business: Booking 101, but it's important to get advice from a professional booker. They'll mention things you already know and may need reminding of, but they're also going to review basic principles that can ...