In The Biz

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

In the Biz is devoted to the business of making jazz music. We will feature established and emerging jazz artists and discover how they successfully maneuver in the often-challenging world of music today.

IN THE BIZ April 2, 2017

Matthew Shell: Making Art with Substance

By Kathy Sanborn

Matthew Shell is a Washington, D.C.-based music producer and engineer. Founder and CEO of publishing house and record label MTS Music, Shell writes and produces music for his own solo releases as well as for bands and other solo artists. Currently working on an hour-long jazz opus, “First Light," Shell shares his upbeat philosophy of life and music success tips with our readers. All About Jazz: In this changing world of the music business, how ...

IN THE BIZ January 6, 2017

Roberta Piket: Focusing on the Music

By Kathy Sanborn

Native New Yorker Roberta Piket is a pianist who loves to explore the more inventive territory of jazz and improvised music. A gifted composer, she was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk BMI Composers' Competition. Her latest album, One for Marian: Celebrating Marian McPartland, reached JazzWeek and CMJ Jazz Top 50. Piket graciously shares a bit of her own career philosophy with us, along with helpful tips on how to flourish in the music business of today. ...

IN THE BIZ December 7, 2016

Artist Roundtable: Where's the Money?

By Kathy Sanborn

In our last roundtable, we delved into the topic of hiring a publicist, and the benefits of doing so. In this article, we will discover how our roundtable peers make money from their musical recordings. Are there any secrets to successfully releasing albums or singles in this era of free streaming and rampant stealing? Let's find out. D. Edward Cheryl Hodge Suzanne Grzanna Grace Garland Laura Ainsworth All About Jazz: ...

IN THE BIZ November 9, 2016

David Longoria: Embracing Innovation

By Kathy Sanborn

Popular trumpeter, songwriter, and producer David Longoria has achieved success in music by refusing to follow the musical crowd. Growing up in relatively poor circumstances, Longoria learned to trust his instincts and to embrace innovation as he set his sights on becoming the internationally respected musician that he is today. At the age of ten, Longoria chose the trumpet as his primary instrument. It took the youth over a year to raise sixty-five dollars, the amount required ...

IN THE BIZ October 15, 2016

Cheryl Hodge: Chasing the Muse

By Kathy Sanborn

Award-winning jazz and blues artist Cheryl Hodge shares how she manages to thrive in the dark and light of today's music business. With a 2016 release (Living Off the Grid) and a persistent attitude, Hodge continues to navigate the sometimes choppy waters of a music career on her own terms. Just nominated for another Hollywood Music in Media Award for her single from Living Off the Grid, “Senegal," Hodge keeps chasing her particular muse with satisfying results. ...

IN THE BIZ September 11, 2016

Carol Albert: Going for the Finish Line

By Kathy Sanborn

The new single release by Carol Albert, “Mas Que Nada," has achieved critical acclaim. The recent Global Peace Song Award winner says a jazz musician is like a marathon runner who needs to stay the course in order to win. Here she chats about her own musical path to success, and offers readers tips on how to elevate their own jazz journeys. All About Jazz: Please tell us how you decided to record your very engaging “Mas ...

IN THE BIZ August 25, 2016

Hiring a Publicist: Is It Worth It?

By Kathy Sanborn

"Without promotion, something terrible happens... nothing!" --P. T. Barnum Jazz artists strive to make the best albums possible, choosing the best songs, selecting other musicians to interpret those songs, and recording the pieces with artistic and technical skill. When their masterpieces are complete, it does not all end there. The artist or band must reach out to the public, and there are as many ways to do that as there are stars in the sky, it seems. ...