AboutPhil Kelly Expertise I can answer questions regarding jazz performance, jazz theory , composition,arranging and jazz recording and production..And overview of my CV /Bio and some sound samples of my work can be found on my website:
www.philkellymusic.com
Experience In addition to more than 40 years as a composer / arranger for
film, TV, and other media applications, I've written for bands like
Bill Watrous' NY Wildlife Refuge, the Old Tonight show band ,
Doc Severinsen, Si Zentner, as well as functioning as arranger/
conductor / drummer for vocalists Buddy Greco, Julius LaRosa,
Frank D'Rone, Sylvia Syms, John Gary, Jenny Smith, and Al
?TNT? Braggs among others..
Early on in my career, I also logged several years as a jazz
drummer with artists such as Terry Gibbs ,Red Garland, and
Denny Zeitlin as well as years of work as a studio and recording
drummer. In addition to his film and TV writing, I've written music
for over 500 national commercials , ESPN, ABC Sports , NFL
Films, and industrial films and shows for Cadillac, Chevrolet,
Volkswagen, American Airlines and Zales Jewelers.
I've also been the primary arranger for the Fort Worth ( TX)
Symphony Pops series for more than 25 years,and has been
commissioned to provide custom pop symphonic scores for Doc
Severinsen and Peter Nero., and have had arrangements played
by the Houston , Dallas, Detroit, Cincinnati, and North Carolina
Symphony orchestras.
Now semi-retired and residing in Bellingham WA, I still write jazz
and pop orchestra arrangements for publication and on
commision, and I'm beginning an auxiliary career in the
educational field as a clinician in film scoring and music for the
media at various colleges around the USA , as well serving as a
big band coach at the Bud Shank Centrum Jazz camp in Port
Townsend WA. for the past several years.
Organizations Amer. Fed. of Musicians
ASCAP
Amer. Soc. of Music Composers and Arrangers
Production Music Assn>
Publications Experts.com ..music composition and theory pages
Education/Credentials BFA major in music and graphic arts: Miami OH and Cincinnatti Coll/Cons /Music'60
You are here: Experts > Jazz > How to get ahead as a Jazz Musician??
Expert: Phil Kelly Date: 11/10/2006 Subject: How to get ahead as a Jazz Musician??
Question Hi:
Please tell me -- how do one become a good-earning jazz musician?
I live in NYC, I graduated from Berklee (2004), and Juilliard (May 2006) in performance (I am a jazz pianist). I decided to "try my luck" (has this got to do with luck at all?) and stay in NYC.
Please advise:
I wish to know how I can promote myself and "get ahead" in my profession and get to play with the big cats, and get
on the road with them -- in order for me to build up my "career" as a jazz musician.
Is there any specific advise, or things that I should do, so that I can become succesful and "earn a good living" as a jazz musician?
Thank you for all your thoughts and inputs,
TG.
Answer Hi Tori:
wow ..what can I say?
If you have all this academic stuff behind you ( and I'll assume you do have you chops together ), here are some thoughts:
( you may not care for some of them ( :)
1.First off -the idea of becoming a "good earning JAZZ musician" is a total oxymoron ,if not a flight of fancy. jazz music doesn't pay crap ..( unless you ar part of a very fortunate .0000000005 % of the musicians out there )
it's a calling you must decide you want to satisfy... ASIDE from earning a liveable income as a musician. This is doable .. if:
2. With your background, I'd suggest you investigate the possibilities of studio work. This pays very well ..if you can get "in".
3. the basic requirements of a studio player are:
* faultless sight reading skills
* the ability to play in ANY and EVERY pop , C&W ,R&B, and" legit" style with equal facility ( oh yeh ..jazz too )
* a comprehensive knowledge, and access to, of all the current electronic and computer resources used today.
* developing skills as a collaborator and networker ..to get you "in the door"
GEt into the business end, and make money ..then :
Play jazz for your soul and for fun ..
This is from someone who didn't put out any jazz product on my own until I'd retired ..after having done 40 yrs. in the commercial / film trenches to pay for my "hobby"
