Comments on: Eric Lewis: A Record Business Scandal

By: jcandthe3

jcandthe3 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:07:35 +0000

Sorry I have no idea. Brian

By: John

John — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:15:29 +0000

To be honest I am confused by the article and the author’s indignation and shock. I can easily name 20 musicians off the top of my head who are world class acknowledged artists and players, who a lot of well known people,(musicians, artists, celebrities), love, and who know one knows, and have never been signed. It seem somewhat disingenuous to rail against a system that is notoriously conservative and economically driven, (in an article for the Hollywood reporter!!! lol),especially now. We are drowning in a sea of mediocrity, the sea of digital vomit is thick and ubiquitous, and the “Labels” are a dying corporate system. Artistry and commercial success do not go hand in hand. In fact, historically, quite the opposite. This is known. As a career musician, with a lot of talented friends in this exact position, I find Mr. Friedman’s language that this is somehow a “scandal” is actually offensive and disrespectful to all the other career musicians of epic talent that the system has ignored. Yes it is a shame that Mr. lewis is not being respected in a manner that befits his skill level and artistry, but call it what it is, and don’t rant about scandals that happen every day, in every genre, because the problem is not the Labels, it is an issue about what has value in our culture and how we as a society support that. The corporate engines have always missed the boat. Move on and seek solutions.

By: William

William — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:24:43 +0000

Yea I’m just happy to hear that even mainstream artists are finally understanding they don’t need the machine anymore, as it is obsolete to the internet networking.

Nice article nonetheless with an even better typo “Rap and hop hop”

By: teddy

teddy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:09:53 +0000

Herbie Hancock . Multiple grammies. Gold records . Jazz legend. He would be the last jazz pianist to sell significant numbers of cds . He also was the lead judge of the Thelonious Monk Competition Eric won. Normally the competition winners get deals. Thats the point of the article. That everyone from Hollywood to the White House enthusiastically digs Eric’s playing and the jazz industry insiders who should be supportive and claim to be “all about the music” are so outside the spirit of that music with regards to this player.

By: John

John — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:43:02 +0000

By: A Spectator

A Spectator — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:16:29 +0000

Saw Eric Lewis in concert last Friday at HR-57. PLEASE DO NOT compare his covers to the likes of Coltrane’s.

Lewis’s interpretations were very loud, but devoid of any element of jazz, improv, or adlib. It was no better than music you’d hear in the background of a cheap dueling piano bar. Only at a dueling piano bar, I wouldn’t have to pay 20 bucks and I’d be able to talk.

By: Brian McBride

Brian McBride — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:48:21 +0000

Hi Roger, you should contact Bob Karcy at Arkadia Jazz. He’s right there in Manhattan. I worked for him a few years ago, I don’t know how active he is but it may be interesting.
http://www.view.com/arkadia.aspx

By: Sally in Chicago

Sally in Chicago — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:45:29 +0000

Roger have you thought about starting a record company and contracting these overlooked artists? I’m with Paul — more and more artists are starting their own labels and going indie. Nothing new.

By: paul

paul — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:24:13 +0000

Who was the last jazz pianist you know of who sold a significant number of CDs? Or should I say wax cylinders?
There are legendary acts that have sold millions of albums who don’t have record labels any longer. The money isn’t there for them, and it’s surely not there for a studio musician who specializes in a very niche (some would say passe) and low-selling genre of music.