Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Ian Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Daniel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Northwinds Jazz Productions is an independent entity organized for my activities as a saxophonist, recording artist, educator, bandleader and concert organizer. In the past 20 years, I have released 6 CD’s on the associated record label. As a professional musician, it has always been my conviction that my efforts should not only include efforts to promote my own musical endeavors but also to provide opportunities for other performers and give something to my local community. Under the guise of Northwinds Jazz Productions (formerly Big and Phat Jazz Productions) I ran a concert series in Brookline for just over 10 years entitled “Jazz in the Sanctuary” that presented over 90 concerts featuring local, national and international improvising artists including: Paul Bley, Joel Harrison, Bob Moses, Marty Ehrlich, Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Greg Hopkins’ Cryogenic Renaissance Orchestra, Jazz Composers Alliance, Tim Ray, Steve Slagle, the New World Jazz Composers Octet, and many others. For the past 8 years I have organized the “Hyde Park Jazz Festival” which is a daylong festival which has featured: Ron Reid and Sunsteel, The Jason Palmer Quintet, Bruce Gertz Trio, Mark Walker and the Music of the Americas band and many others.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest struggles in the “business” of promoting jazz and improvised music is funding and developing an audience. Especially in a city like Boston where there is a glut of musicians looking for opportunities but not always willing to work to promote or support similar endeavors. Not to mention the challenges of presenting live music in a digital age. That is hard competition in itself.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Northwinds Jazz Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Although there are other entities that have similar directives, I think my efforts have been very personal and have made the business aspects smoother and allowed individuals and myself to focus on creativity and not just the financial bottom line while always endeavoring to compensate in a way that is fair and respectful to all artists.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The next 5-10 years will be a challenge indeed as my life experiences and focus change.
Funding has decreased considerably for the support of similar endeavors making it challenging to stay viable and justify certain investments. I think the biggest change (and challenge) will be my hopes for casting a wider net geographically in my efforts.
Not necessarily increasing how much I do but expanding outside of the Boston area. I have already begun successful programming in the state of Vermont and hope to continue to build on those efforts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danieliansmith.com
The 6th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival at the DCR Martini Shell in Hyde Park, MA
Image Credit:
Images courtesy of Matthew McKee Photography
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