QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

There are several questions that I am frequently asked, usually by singers and instrumentalists.
Here are a few of them.

I just recorded my first CD.  Now what do I need to do to get it noticed?

Make sure you have informative and well-written liner notes and a bio. Commission someone
whose judgment and taste you trust to write one or both. Liner notes should tell the story of the CD
and it adds extra value to the recording. In addition, when you have decent liner notes, there is a
better chance that your CD will be reviewed because it looks like you care about your release and
you put extra work into it. A bio should briefly tell the story of your musical life, give the plot of your
CD and discuss your future dreams. The purpose of a bio is to gain more reviews, gigs and attention.

Get a website so people can order your CD directly from you, even if you are on a label. Rather
than get an overly fancy and completely unreadable website (there are many of those), get one that
is fairly simple but effective.

Make sure that your CD lists the name of a record label and a number (make them up if you need
to) so it gets taken seriously even if it is privately issued. When I receive a CD without the name of a
label and a logical number, it is much more difficult to pitch it to a magazine because it looks like a
vanity release

Do some research and decide what magazines would logically write about your recording.
Send a copy of the CD and the bio to the magazine's editor and to any writers who you feel will
appreciate your music.

If you have the money, hire a good publicist (I recommend several elsewhere on this website).

You need to be as creative in selling your CD and running your career as you are in playing music.

How do I get my CD reviewed by the All Music Guide website?

Send them a copy, and send me one too. The address for the All Music Guide is: AMG, All Media
Guide, 1168 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI  48108. Send me an E-mail if you want my mailing
address.

How much should I pay a writer to review my CD?

Nothing! Never pay anyone to merely review your recording. It is up to magazines to pay writers
for reviews. I have been asked this question a surprising number of times, and it makes me wonder
if I should charge $50 for a negative review and $100 for a positive one! If a writer suggests you
pay him or her to review your CD, then you know that the opinions that they express in print are
worthless.

What are the main qualifications of a jazz critic?

The willingness to work for less than the minimum wage, a set of working ears, a very open mind,
the ability to say a great deal in a finite amount of space, and a passionate love of the music.

Should I hire a writer to manage or book my band?

Would you hire an electrician to do your plumbing? Or a policeman to put out a fire?
It is true that some writers are capable of becoming involved in the management of a musician and
they might do a favor for a friend, but usually it is a very different skill.

How can I hire you for my project?

Glad you asked! Send an E-mail to scottyanowjazz@yahoo.com to get it started.
For a list of what I do, go to MY ONLINE PRESS ROOM page.




LINKS TO OTHER PAGES IN THIS SITE:

HOME

MY BOOKS

BIO/LINER NOTES PAGE

LINKS PAGE

JACK PURVIS

FAVORITE PUBLICISTS

LOS ANGELES JAZZ SCENE

FESTIVAL REVIEWS