Artie Shaw, one of the most successful bandleaders of the Swing Era, was quite public about his reason for walking away from his music career: the music business. While he still loved making music (“It’s better than sex!”), the “business of music” is what ultimately turned him away.

Lately I’ve been struggling to make music with some of my colleagues simply because of extra-musical issues. When we’re playing, and focused on nothing else but our musical dialogue, we can’t be beat. However, when it comes to any sort of logistics: scheduling a rehearsal, booking a gig, advertising, or simply deciding what to play, there is constant conflict. In fact, at a recent gig in which the actual performance piece was quite inspiring, everything else about the gig fell apart and completely overshadowed any musical accomplishment. I later came to regret going through with the show at all.

There’s the old adage that any activity is 98% concentration and 2% perspiration. When it comes to performing, one can similarly say that it’s generally 98% logistics and 2% music. Again, going back to Dave Liebman: a jazz musician is not only a performer, but his/her own agent, promoter, secretary and treasurer. This blog and corresponding website are perfect examples. Not only do I focus my attention on my instrument, but also on maintaining my website, booking gigs, ordering business cards, networking and advertising.

Over the years, I’ve learned that not only is it important to collaborate with others who are musically and aesthetically in a similar place as myself, but also people who are aligned with my work ethic. Failing to give equal focus and attention to the business end will easily compromise any musical endeavor.