The Arrangers Podcast

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 14: Rich DeRosa (WDR Big Band, LCJO) (Part 2)

Aaron and Drew sit down with their mentor from University of North Texas, acclaimed arranger and composer Rich DeRosa, to discuss his career and thoughts on music.

Rich's Website: http://richderosa.com

Rich's UNT Profile: http://jazz.unt.edu/derosa

Link to Rich's arrangements: http://www.ejazzlines.com/big-band-arrangements/by-arranger/derosa-rich/

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 13: Rich DeRosa (WDR Big Band, LCJO) (Part 1)

Aaron and Drew sit down with their mentor from University of North Texas, acclaimed arranger and composer Rich DeRosa, to discuss his career and thoughts on music.

Rich's Website: http://richderosa.com

Rich's UNT Profile: http://jazz.unt.edu/derosa

Link to Rich's arrangements: http://www.ejazzlines.com/big-band-arrangements/by-arranger/derosa-rich/

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 12: Interview with Alan Baylock (Airmen of Note, One O'Clock Lab Band) (Part 2)

Aaron and Drew sit down with legendary arranger Alan Baylock, who served for 25 years as the staff arranger for the Airmen of Note, collaborating with countless guest artists on arrangements and writing a vast library of scores for various types of ensembles and styles. Alan has also recorded multiple CDs with his own jazz ensemble, the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, and now directs the prestigious One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas.

http://jazz.unt.edu/baylock

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 11: Interview with Alan Baylock (Airmen of Note, One O'Clock Lab Band) (Part 1)

Aaron and Drew sit down with legendary arranger Alan Baylock, who served for 25 years as the staff arranger for the Airmen of Note, collaborating with countless guest artists on arrangements and writing a vast library of scores for various types of ensembles and styles. Alan has also recorded multiple CDs with his own jazz ensemble, the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, and now directs the prestigious One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas.

http://jazz.unt.edu/baylock

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 10: 10 Ways to Break Into the Arranging Business

Aaron and Drew give 10 ideas for taking your music from your brain to the music community. Whether it's furthering your career as a writer or finding ways to improve or share with others, here are 10 ways that you can break into the scene.

• • 1. Write every Day!
    • It’s just like practicing, the more you do it the better you get
    • Even if it’s terrible, forcing yourself to write helps you overcome writers block
  • 2. Listen, expand your ear, always search for new sounds/genres/inspiration
    • Everything else below relies on your ability to be a good musician/have a skilled trade
    • Transcription and inspiration
    • Stay inspired and keep learning from other people’s music
    • Push your musical boundaries
  • 3. Study with a great Arranger/get a mentor
    • Go to college
    • Offer to be an assistant/help out
    • Buy lunch for someone (we won’t say no)
  • 4. Start your own band
    • Doesn’t have to be big band or 4tet - think creatively!
    • Write for the musicians you know, write to their strengths
    • Common thread in interviews is that at some point successful writers got a group together to play their music
  • 5. Record and share your creations
    • Don’t wait to write something, just do it and do it again.
    • YouTube and Soundcloud – worked for Jacob Collier
    • Social Media
    • People often hire those who they have recently interacted with or seen their work, so if you shared a video or recording, you’re putting yourself in people’s minds
  • 6. Website/Demo Reel
    • Mention that a website almost never gets you a gig.  Being referred TO a website from a friend/a tune they heard already helps establish your credibility/competence in the craft
  • 7. Network/Develop relationships - musicians/school directors/write for friends
    • Never underestimate the power of a good hang
    • Going into networking with something to show people is key
    • CD, website, youtube, soundcloud, business card, portfolio, just something to give them
    • Often times I’ll look up someone and they don’t have a website, and I have no way to gauge their music or who they are
  • 8. Enter competitions ie. Downbeat, Detroit Festival, ASCAP
    • Don’t expect to win, just realize it’s an opportunity to grow and enter the broader community/see where you stand in the global picture/get feedback
    • Also good to force you to write something
  • 9. Join music organizations (Composers Forum/ASCAP/BMI/Union/G.A.N.G.)
    • Grants, competitions, and social events are often set up through these types of organizations.
  • 10. Find your niche
    • No two people are identically talented, you have a musical skill set that will set you apart
    • Depending on your location or community you might have access to unique opportunities

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 9: Score Study–New Dell Inn (Michael B. Nelson)

Show Notes

Michael's Website:

http://www.bone2bwildmusic.com/

 

The Hornheads' Website:

http://www.hornheads.com/

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 8: Interview with Michael B. Nelson (Prince, The Hornheads) (Part 2)

Show Notes

Michael's Website:

http://www.bone2bwildmusic.com/

 

The Hornheads' Website:

http://www.hornheads.com/

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 7: Interview with Michael B. Nelson (Prince, The Hornheads) (Part 1)

Show Notes

Michael's Website:

http://www.bone2bwildmusic.com/

 

The Hornheads' Website:

http://www.hornheads.com/

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 6: Score Study–Concerto for Cootie (Ellington)

In the first "Score Study" episode, Aaron and Drew follow up the David Berger interview by studying "Concerto for Cootie," a piece which David transcribed that features Cootie Williams on trumpet.

The Arrangers Podcast Ep. 5: David Berger Interview (Part 2)

Show Notes

David Berger's website:

https://www.davidbergerjazz.com/

Such Sweet Thunder Music:

https://www.suchsweetthundermusic.com/

David Berger's blog:

https://www.suchsweetthundermusic.com/blogs/news