Arts
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August 1 - August 14, 2015
59
Matheny raising funds for ‘Jazz Noir’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny will soon head into the studio to lay down tracks for a film noir-inspired album. First, however, he’s hoping the public will help raise funds for the collection dubbed “Jazz Noir.” A Chandler resident, Matheny has embarked on an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise $10,000 by Aug. 31. The monies raised will directly support recording, production, mixing, mastering, artist fees, mechanical licenses and marketing costs associated with “Jazz Noir.” As of press time, he has raised $6,300 of $10,000. To help fund the project, visit http://igg.me/at/ jazznoir/x/11131773. “We’re in the middle of this crowdfunding campaign to get the bread together to do it,” Matheny said. “We need the cabbage for the caper. We’re hoping to record in the fall. I’ve already booked a session in August. Again, it’s going to happen whether we raise the funds or not.” Although it would seem to be uncomfortable, Matheny said it isn’t necessarily hard to ask folks for money. “That’s part of what we do,” he said matter of factly. “When we’re doing a big concert, we’re asking sponsors for money. If you’re selling tickets, you’re asking people to buy the tickets. “If you’re selling your band, you’re asking people to book your band. The sales never end. It’s sad but true. It’s a part of this business—and there’s no way around it.” But, he said he feels, there’s a “disconnect” when asking for money over
the Internet. “It’s one thing to stand on the stage and say, ‘Buy our new album,’” he explained. “But with the Internet, it feels impersonal in a funny way. I’m trying to get used to it.” Supporters who give between $10 and $2,500 have the opportunity to earn “film noir”-influenced perks. For example, those who donate $500 will receive the “femme fatale” package—an original Dmitri Matheny composition in the patron’s honor, a spot in the CD’s liner notes, two VIP guest passes to a concert, and a free MP3 download of the complete Dmitri Matheny Collection. “There are clever things that are only available through this program, through crowdfunding,” he said. “One thing we’re doing is when people contribute $100, they not only get a pair of tickets to any concert, anywhere on the road. They’re getting a download of my complete discography. It’s basically every tune I’ve ever recorded as a band leader. For 100 songs, it’s a pretty good value.” Folks who give more than $1,000 receive an executive producer credit. “If they wanted to, they could join NARAS (National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences) and become a voting member of the academy and start voting for who should have a Grammy,” he said. “Jazz Noir” takes its cue from the film noir genre of the 1940s and 1950s. “There’s a jazz ethos to the thing,” he said. “There’s the saxophone under a streetlamp in the fog. A lot of those are great films and TV shows that have a jazz soundtrack. If you watch the shows I grew
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Dmitri Matheny is looking to the public to help fund his forthcoming album “Jazz Noir.” Photo by Rob Fraser
up with in the 1980s—like ‘Columbo’ and ‘Rockford Files’—there is a lot of bluesy jazz kind of influence in the music. “We wanted to bring together the idea of classic, timeless jazz as well as the visual element of film noir and crime dramas— and do a musical melding of the two.” He’s proud to be working on a project for which he can “cut out the middle man.” “You go directly to your fans and get them to support the project,” Matheny
said. “They provide the financing and then as soon as we start recording, they start accruing benefits. “I’m giving it a shot. I’m hoping to raise about $10,000 to do this right. For a jazz recording, that’s pretty reasonable.” Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun. com.