ASCAP 2010 “I Create Music” EXPO

May 3, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Every year, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) does a major music conference and workshop for their members and anyone who is willing to attend. The conference features interviews, live showcases of performers, one-on-one sessions, lectures regarding the music industry, and a networking reception. I’ve attended my first ASCAP EXPO this year, which was held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in LA California. The experience was very encouraging and motivational. Most of the information that was given at the EXPO was information I already know. However, to be up close and personal at the EXPO was very rewarding. I had a chance to meet and greet with top music executives, and various songwriters, composers, authors, and publishers.

This year’s EXPO conference was April 22-24. I arrived at the EXPO a day before just to get a feel of it. That day, I made sure I received my badge, and just walked around and did a few sight seeing round Hollywood Boulevard. When the next day came, the EXPO began, and it started with the ASCAP’s General Membership Meeting. Which was lectures on the current operations of ASCAP and the financial reports. It was also, highlighting the many ASCAP members careers in music and awards received within the previous and current year. Throughout the three days of the EXPO, I’ve attended meetings and lectures that I thought would be beneficial to advancing my career as a musician, artist, composer, publisher, songwriter, and producer.

The first day, I attended: The Membership Meeting, Making the scene as a TV composer, We Create Music (interviews of top producers, songwriters, and composers), Exploring the International Market, and the Networking Reception. On the next day, I attended: Music Licensing, To Feature Film Score, Emerging Writer Teams, Publishers & Writers/Artists Development, and Quincy Jones Interviewed by Ludacris. The final day, I attended: Copyright Issues, Production Music Libraries, Rocking the Cradle (writing music for children programs) and Bill Withers interviewed by Justin Timberlake.

The most valuable feedback I’ve received from this EXPO was to work very hard to get to where you want to be in this industry. No one will do it for you, you have to do it yourself. The secret is who you know in the industry that can be of assistance. It’s all about connections. For example, if you’re an independent film maker just starting out who needs a film composer to write the music for your film, how do you go about finding such a person? By word of mouth, asking your colleagues who they know or worked with, attending music conferences, and or calling/looking for ads in music magazines, and music trade publications for composers. Go where the stuff is happening, or take a business trip and network your butt off. Be sure to contact me if you need a composer, orchestrator, pianist, arranger, transcriber, or producer for your project at: www.jamalmathis.com.

 

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Jamal Mathis Trio @ the Dallas Museum of Art

March 14, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Back in May of last year, I performed at the Dallas Museum of Art with my band (Jamal Mathis Trio) for the second time. The first time was a remarkable experience because this venue is great for local exposure. I sold some of my CD’s and gave away posters. I also received a lot of names and e-mails added to my mailing list. This time, my band and I performed a full set of my previous album: MUSIC IN THE MIX, and we did another set of my new upcoming album. The music for the upcoming album is complete, so now we just have to record it and make it available. I’m thinking about a live recording this time, but I don’t know yet. Anyway, we jammed on the new tunes, and I think the response was greatly appreciated when the audience heard us perform them.

I enjoy performing at the Dallas Museum of Art. It’s large, wide, and open for crowds of people walking, browsing, and dinning. It gives much exposure. But I noticed that while we were playing, more people was coming inside the venue and didn’t know who we were. So every now and then during the set, I stood up and said a few words about me, the band, and the tunes we were performing. It was a little distracting when people was walking, but it was still fun. However, in small performing venues, it’s more intimate. I can concentrate on the audience, and the audience can concentrate on me.

Check us out on the videos below, and let me know how you like some of the new tunes for the upcoming album.

 

 

 

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Prison Ministry

March 1, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Just yesterday, I ministered to a woman’s prison. I was there to accompany my praise team to jump start the service. We ministered in song, praise dance, and word. The event was very high and emotional. The ladies in the prison are receptive and loves to praise and worship God. Before we could go inside to minister, we had to go through security. Just like at the airport. Once we walked in, the ladies stood up and applauded like we were the president. Before we ministered, we prayed and set everything up.

During the program, there was laughter, cries, shouts, claps, and hugs. I even shed some tears because I was touched. By the end, we all had a chance to talk with the ladies and encourage them. They were even begging me to come back and minister to them again at least every now and them. I told them I’ll pray about that. Although it was my first time, I enjoyed it.

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A Jazzy Christmas

December 22, 2009 by Jamal Mathis.

My father booked me again for another concert at the Dallas Convention Center (TBAAL) on December 12, 2009. I didn’t find out about it until two months before the concert date. If you know me by now, you know I want to be fully prepared and give it my all. So I had two months to prepare. Since it was in December, I decided to do some Christmas tunes as well as some jazz standards. I called a few of my musician buddies and friends to see if they would be available to perform with me on that night. Some already were booked, and others was going to be out of town. I remembered Forrest Davis Jr. (saxophonist). He was always reliable, so I called him up and he was happy to do it. Then, I called up Andise Altine (vocalist) whom I met through my father. She called me one day and told me if I ever needed a vocalist in any of my show, give her a call. That’s exactly what I did. I called her up and she accepted.

Andise has a sultry voice, and she is very dependable and faithful when it comes to rehearsing. Her and I prepared for the concert every other day of the week up until the concert date. You can really tell when someone has a heart for music like she does. Anyway, when the time came for us to perform, we didn’t have a large crowd as always, but we still gave it our all even though the crowd was small. I’ve uploaded a few samples of the show. Check them out and let me know what you think about Andise’s voice. Later.

 

 

 

 

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Jazz Christmas Musical Concert

January 14, 2009 by Jamal Mathis.

I had the opportunity to put on a Christmas Program at Celestial Haven Baptist Church. The music department of the church sponsored this event to benefit the Noble E. Sims Multi-Purpose Community Center & Family Park. This community center is in remembrance of Deacon Noble E. Sims, and it’s a venue for the community to come and fellowship, minister, teach, rehearse, etc… The pastor of the church: James Foster invited me and Ryan Smith to coordinate the program and host it. We were the featured performers. I met the pastor a few months ago by Forrest Davis Jr. (saxophonist). Forrest plays at the church and uses the church to rehearse.

Ryan and I got together to coordinate the event. Since Ryan and I completed our album together (Faith, Hope, & Love), we decided to perform some tunes on our new album.  It was a perfect venue and time to perform our debut. We passed out information regarding our album and gave away FREE samples from the album so people could get the feel and idea of the CD. Forrest Davis Jr. was on program as well, and I included two other performers to sing. This event was an honor to do, and I’m looking forward in doing more events to benefit great causes in the future.

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BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY ENTERTAINMENT

August 25, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

Each year before school starts again, City Temple S.D.A. Church sponsor a back to school block party for the community, along with other sponsors from other organizations. During this event, they freely hand out school supplies, food, games, and have local entertainment. Inside the church, they have booths for various organizations and ministries. People go around and sign up. Sort of like a job fair. Of course I had a booth to sell my CD’s. I even had a time to go up and perform for the entertainment.

The entertainment was suppose to be a fifteen minute set. I went up at 6:15 pm and performed FUNKY BLUES and MEMORIES. I performed FUNKY BLUES by myself with the bass and drums playing on a backup CD. On MEMORIES, I used the same backup CD, but I had Forrest Davis Jr. to play with me. Everyone was surprised to hear this new arrangement of MEMORIES with a soprano saxophone live. It all came out well. I’ll be creating more tunes with saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, and vocals in the future. But check out the video for yourself below. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. Until next time.

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“A Night of Stars” Part 2

July 9, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

After playing the first set, we took a break and went outside to cool off. I was having so much fun that I almost went overtime in the first set.

 

Outside, we took a few pictures and hanged out until the second set. I even forgot to get my plate of food that night. That rarely happens, but I guess hunger goes away when you’re having too much fun between sets. However, the show went on with the other guest on program. I didn’t even catch them on video since I was outside, but I did go back inside to catch their act every now and then. I was blessed by the “Wandering Mimes” and the “Wander Steppers”. They both represent God well in their ministry. I went back outside and noticed my father wanted to get me and the band in a motion picture. I was caught off guard and had no idea what to say, so I kind of had fun with it.

 

For the second and last set, we performed three jazz standard tunes. Things started to wrap up by the third and last tune. So, here is another one of my tunes we performed for the first set. Enjoy. I’ll talk to you next time.

 

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“A Night of Stars” Part 1

June 3, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

My church (City Temple S.D.A. Church) presented a youth formal and banquet at the Thorntree Country Club for the high school students graduating this year. It was sort of like a prom. I had the opportunity to play with my band (Jamal Mathis Trio) at the event, and of course had my father record some of our performances on video, and take some pictures of us as well. There were a variety of other special guests on the program such as: The Wandering Mimes, The Wander Steppers, and the like…..It was a good turn out for the evening. We began around 8:30 pm and it lasted until midnight. Our first set was about forty-six minutes to an hour. During the set, everyone was socializing, taking photos, and waiting in line to get their food. We were about in the midst of our set once everyone sat down with their food.

After our first set, we took a break and the evening continued with the other special guest and a interview with each of the graduating high school seniors. They interviewed them about their journey in high school, life, the future, and the like. They also had a game going on asking the audience a question about an event in history to see if whoever can answer it with the right year. By the time we came back to do our second and last set for the evening, it was around 10:57 pm or so. We came back and played some familiar cover tunes, and closed with a bossa nova. I had a good time at this event, and looking forward to more like this to come. Check out a few of my songs we performed during our first set.

 

Have you noticed that my drummer (Jamil Byrom) accidentally dropped his drum stick. I didn’t even noticed it until I saw this video. Check him out on this solo. He didn’t drop it this time.

 

I had to do this. Here is the “original” Jamal Mathis Trio. Tom Hanes (Bassist) on the left. Jamil Byrom (Drummer) on the right. Until next time. Stay up and be cool. (Jamal Mathis).

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The Fall Semester Recital Series

February 6, 2008 by Jamal Mathis.

Jamal Mathis performing at Cedar Valley College on September 12, 2007 for their Fall Semester Recital Series with Drummer Andrew Griffith, and Bassist Thad Jackson.

Jamal Mathis (Chillin’ in the Moonlight)

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This is me with bassist Thad Jackson, and drummer Andrew Griffith at Cedar Valley College performing (Chillin’ in the Moonlight). The music department at Cedar Valley host a series of guest artist to perform in their performance hall for their Semester Recital Series during the beginning of each semester. I was glad that Roger Dismore (Music Department Chairman) took my call when I asked him to perform; eventhough I attended Cedar Valley in the past. We opened up with Chillin’ in the Moonlight as always. The drummer Andrew Griffith is the same drummer who performed with me on the Tuesday Nite Jazz! Series at St. Paul United Methodist Church back in June. He’s a reliable guy. I found Thad Jackson at my music teacher’s recital she was giving for her students. She invited me to perform a short number while I was there. I had to call Thad at the last minute for this event because my other bassists were either unavailable or had something else going on at that time. Luckily, Thad was available and could play by ear. I sent him the sheet music, and when it came time for us to rehearse, he didn’t have the music. Reason being, since it was the last minute, he learned all the tunes we had to perform by ear from my CD. I was surprised and worried that he might forget his parts, but he amazed me at rehearsal. As you noticed on the video above, he was feeling the music and was into it. He told me he doesn’t use sheet music because it’s better for him to feel the music as he plays. I’m glad it all turned out great. Also in the video, you saw my father filming us from a hand held camcorder. I guess he couldn’t get a better shot of us while we were performing. He sat in the front row too. Instead, I asked for a copy that the school recorded. I didn’t even know that they record each performance at the time. After the event was over, Roger Dismore gave me a big hand shake well done. He told me he enjoyed the whole set; eventhough, my father walked around the stage. I was glad everything came out great as well.

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The Tuesday Nite Jazz! Series

August 13, 2007 by Jamal Mathis.

 Hey guys, welcome to JAMAL’S BLOG. This is my first blog post. Feel free to check out the video and read my in depth opinions. Be sure to write me back and tell me what you think and give me some advice. I created this blog for disscussions, and to communicate with the community. However, to be safe, don’t forget to read the RULES & CONDITIONS about this blog before posting any comments. Click on the link that says About under pages to read the RULES & CONDITIONS. Thank you and enjoy your stay. Please come back often. (Jamal Mathis).

The Tuesday Nite! Jazz Series

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This was the first major gig I had since MUSIC IN THE MIX was published in November of 2006. I had a few before, but this gig was one to remember. I’ve contacted the event coordinator months in advance to get a date to perform, and she’d was surprised that someone e-mailed her from out of the blue to perform for this event they call: The Tuesday Nite Jazz! Series. St. Paul United Methodist Church put on this event every second Tuesday of each month of the year to feature local jazz artists from the Dallas area. Now, they’re trying to feature more artist every week. I heard about this event from my jazz piano teacher who performs there frequently. He gave me all the info on who to call and contact by e-mail to get booked at this event. I was a little skeptical to perform jazz in a church, but when I called the event coordinator, she told me everything about what there ministry was all about. She booked me for June 12, 2007 at 7:00pm to perform. I also asked her if it was fine to sell my CD’s, and she said it was no problem. There wasn’t a lot of people from the community that knew about this event, so I kindly asked her if it was ok if I’d go to the press and tell people about it. She didn’t mind that either. So, that’s what I’d did. I went to The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Post Tribune, Elite News, Pegasus News, Dallas Religion News, and many others sending out press releases announcing that I’m performing for this event coming up, and not forgetting that refreshments will be served while guest get to meet and chat with me. I also went to the community radio stations announcing the news as well.

I got the musicians together to rehearse, and once the gig came, it was “off the chain”. There were maybe about sixty to hundred people that showed up to see me perform. I met some new fans and added them to the FAN CLUB. I’ve sold a good number of CD’s too. I’m now a regular at the Tuesday Nite Jazz! Series, and I’m looking forward to more performing, fans, and meeting new peeps from the community at this event, and at many others.

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