Sheila E. Anderson - How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed

Copyright 2019 by Sheila E. Anderson

All rights reserved. Copyright under Berne Copyright Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and Pan American Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Allworth Press books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

23 22 21 20 19 5 4 3 2 1

Published by Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Allworth Press is a registered trademark of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

www.allworth.com

Cover design by Mary Ann Smith

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62153-716-8

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62153-718-2

Printed in the United States of America

Praise for How to Grow as a Musician

How to Grow as a Musician by jazz champion, radio host, and bon vivant, Sheila Anderson is a literal life manual for the musician aspiring to a fulfilling career in jazz. With anecdotes and interviews with some of the most compelling jazz storytellers on the scene todaylike Tia Fuller, Etienne Charles, Allan Harris, and Will Calhounand legends in the genrelike Ron Carter, Randy Weston, Al Jarreau, and Dr. Billy TaylorAnderson shares the truth and experience in their voice and sound. This is all accomplished with warmth in her nurturing voice, while still providing nuts and bolts, steps 1, 2, 3, for the musician that wants instructions on the business of jazz. [...] I also recommend How to Grow as a Musician for anyone that loves this music we call jazz to understand how to better support the musicians. In the words of my favorite jazz vocalist, Al Jarreau, as quoted in the book, You should always be reaching, striving for another level. Thank you, Sheila Anderson, for taking us to another level of understanding with How to Grow as a Musician .

Janis Burley Wilson, president and CEO, August Wilson Center

From the ancestors spirited knowledge to persevering jazz musicians experienced scenarios, this book is an obligatory read for all musicians and creative artists looking to cultivate new sprouts for their growing careers.

Ron Scott, columnist, Amsterdam News

For that performer who is trying to succeed in this business we call show, you need to get Sheila Andersons book. How to Grow as a Musician will get you around, across, over or through any obstacle, hiccup, bump or uncertainty that may be in the way.

Wali Collins, author and comedian, Coyote Ugly , I Hate Valentines Day

This book is a must-have for any serious student and will be a joy to read by jazz fans generally. Combining a warm conversational style with the voices of musicians who provide direct, hands-on experience, it manages to be both a very practical guide and fascinating look at the music business through the eyes and words of a cross-section of accomplished musicians. Highly recommended!

Wayne Winborne, executive director, Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University

This book is a must read for every aspiring musician and music fans alike. Proficient musicianship is steeped in solid practice habits, fortitude, and perseverance. Sheila exposes the fantasy that preparation can be taken lightly.

George Wein, CEO, Festival Productions, Inc.

Read this book to become a BAADASSSS. Sheila Anderson has told it like it is.

Melvin Van Peebles, filmmaker

Sheila Anderson is a living legend in the world of jazz radio whose vision, wisdom, and knowledge are astonishing. Dont miss this book!

Cornel West, professor emeritus, Princeton University

How to Grow as a Musician is both intelligent and comprehensive. Ms. Anderson offers an insightful and timely roadmap for ones career.

Gregory Generet, jazz vocalist

DEDICATION

In loving memory of my mom, Daisy Estelle Anderson (February 14, 1922July 29, 2019), who taught me to have confidence and gave me the tools for success. She was driven, determined, and an inspiration to so manya true role model!

And to Johnnie Garry (October 31, 1924March 13, 2018), a mentor to me and a force in the jazz community, who Duke Ellington nicknamed Ziegfeld. To quote Duke, We love you madly.

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With gratitude I thank Tad Crawford for allowing me to write this revision. To my editor, Chamois Holschuh, thank you for your patience and guidance. Thanks to my WBGO family for their support. And to Brian Delp, who kept me company through the night serenading me with the great music.

Introduction

In 2004, when I was working on the first edition of this book, I wanted to interview Will Calhoun. After a few failed attempts to set a time to talk, we agreed to speak, one morning, at 1:00 a.m. (I recall that he was preparing for a trip.) On schedule, I called, he didnt answer, so I left a message and moved on. Shortly after the books publication, I ran into Will sitting at the bar in the jazz club the Village Vanguard. How we began our conversation is vague, but I do recall him asking me, What about my comments in your book? Needless to say, given that the interview had not transpired, I was stunned he would ask me about it; I reminded him that he and I had not spoken, so he wasnt in my book. Will laughed, then said, Ill be in your next book. My retort to him: What makes you think that there will be a next one? He said, There will be. I marveled at his confidence. Over these years, he and I have become great friends. A man of many talents, not only is Will Calhoun a great musician, he is also a visual artist. He is an intellect, a spiritual man, a loving father and husband, whose passion for music and reverence of the ancestors is inspiring. Is he clairvoyant? Perhaps. When I told him that my publisher agreed to allow me to write this second edition, he wasnt surprised; remember, he had predicted that in 2005.

In addition to Will Calhoun, I have added new voices: musicians Etienne Charles, Jeremy Pelt, Tia Fuller, Camille Thurman, Javon Jackson, Aaron Diehl, Ulysses Owens Jr., Mikael Karlsson, and Monte Croft. For a follow-up, I talked with Allan Harris, Eric Reed, Dorothy Lawson, Michael Wolff, Bobby Sanabria, and WBGO music director and radio personality Gary Walker. The other two radio professionals interviewed are Derrick Lucas (Jazz 90.1) and Terrence McKnight of WQXR. Last, publicist Gwendolyn Quinn gave me a crash course on her profession. From the first edition I kept some information from the interviews of Kenny Barron, Andy Bey, Ron Carter, Jeff Clayton, Paula Kimper, Richard Smallwood, and Kenny Washington (the drummer). After the first printing, fourteen years have passed. Several people I had interviewed have died: Oscar Brown Jr., Ruth Brown, Edwin Hawkins, Al Jarreau, John Levy, David Randolph, and Dr. Billy Taylor. To preserve their memories, I dedicate the last chapter, Ancestors: So Past, So PresentStanding on Their Shoulders, to them.