Distribution

[pk]

i was just reading a review in cadence of hardi and co's new album. it is a very complimentary review and begins this way: "It seems (at least to me), that an increasing number of Australian musicians and groups are appearing in the pages of jazz and improvised msuic magazines. I'm not sure if it's the fact that the scene down there is expanding or whether the distribution channels have improved . Whatever the case, it is a rather fortuitous sitation."
i have been thinking about distribution (or the lack of it) for australian jazz/improvised music a bit lately. it seems to me that there is a great deal of excellent music produced here that is appreciated by only a handful of australians... what a shame. it's interesting to note too the posts on kenny's 'oz jazz korner' thread on the 'all about jazz' site, lots of enthusiasm there for australian music but also people saying that they didn't know we had a jazz scene etc.
and now i hear gerry koster is departing newmarket. apparently he is going to another distributor and maybe this is a really good thing, he is a good guy with broad and adventurous taste. he has has been wasted at newmarket where he has had a pitiful budget to promote the music on the label.
as i write i am wondering what point it is that i am trying to make... actually i offer this just as a possible starting point for discussion. i'm sure there are heaps of people out there who have a lot more insight into this situation than i do...

[Kenny]

Gerry will, I have no doubt, carry on his sterling work at his new gig.

And my (rather vague) understanding of the situation leads me to believe that the Newmarket catalogue will remain available one way or another.

Peter: Not so coincidentally, I have been ruminating over these sorts of issues of late, too.

There have been moves in the past to get some sort of umbrella set-up to raise the profile of Australian jazz on the international stage, and no doubt that remains a desirable outcome.

But I feel nothing but excitement about how things are going, and how they may go in the future.

And it's all down to the internet.

The folkses I have seduced into trying Australian music via my ramblings at AAJ have been thrilled with the music they are hearing.

But they have been surprised and delighted, too, at the speed and ease with which they have been able to purchase Australian albums _ through Newmarket or Birdland or Chaos or whatever.

Given that these northern hemisphere types are pretty hip when it comes to the 'net, I can only presume their surprise has something to do with some lingering baggage about the staggering distance to Australia.

But in a very real sense, that distance no longer exists.

Thus I don't believe it is any longer necessary for Australian recordings to be stocked in retail outlets overseas.

Most of the folkses I talk with on the internet would much prefer to buy their music at what they generally refer to as bricks-and-mortar shops, but increasingly they don't. They shop online, where they can get the sort of diversity and depth theywant. Looked at the jazz section of you local mall CD shop lately?

I'm not suggesting that it's easy, or even that it's going to get any easier.

But as a fan who believes deeply in Australian music, I feel empowered to share my enthusiasm courtesy of the internet. And make at least a little bit of difference.

There is still resistance, particularly in the US. I chose the AAJ BB to sing Oz praises because of a significantly broader world view on that site. I also hang out at the Organissimo BB- a great bunch of people, but very much into hard bop/classic Blue Note stuff. The Jazz Corner BB is also a good one, with a few Aussie members, but the focus tends to revolve around NYC. (These are just broad generalisations, mind you).

I guess the point I am long-windedly trying to make is that I reckon there is little in the way of physical barriers preventing spreading the word on Australian music. The tools are there - it's just a matter of using them effectively and with passion.

BTW, if you want a cheap laugh call up the Blue Note - www.bluenote.com - site and have a look at the page for the new Norah Jones album in the new releases section. There's a whole bunch of bozos there who have given it a 5-star rating - WITHOUT HAVING HEARD THE ALBUM!

Another thing I think would help the ozjazz cause is multiple inclusions in the Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD.

There are plenty of Australian albums in the latest edition, but they are mostly on Naxos (which has ceased its contemporary jazz activity) and Rufus. I'd love to see all those great Newmarket and Jazzhead discs in there.

I don't agree with everything those guys write, but disagreeing with them is much of the fun. Beyond that, it's always a great read - and, for the purposes of this discussion, pretty influential.

Things such as the Penguin guide, or my modest AAJ efforts, may seem to be small beer, but every little bit helps is my motto.

As someone said to me last night, the internet and its possibilities must be giving the suited, corporate behemouths the screaming shits - and the best part is, they invented it!

No wonder the record industry is such a shambles -these guys hate, by natural instinct, jazz and anything like it. They want to sell huge numbers of as small a number of products as they can get away with.

It's not about money - it's about power.

For half a century or more, the majors have largely controlled what people listen to (or watch or eat or wear or read).

Now people have the power and the choice to do exactly as they please.

[Kenny]

But then again, WTFDIK?

[jazzdude]

Yeah I had heard Gerry Koster was leaving New Market, that is a shame I hope the Newmarket catalogue is preserved they is a great history of Australian jazz there. It will be seen I guess if someone can fill Gerrys shoes...they are mighty big.

I had heard Gerry was going freelance..(whatever that means) but it can only be a good thing in my opinion - makes you wonder why he left..!!

On a supposedly different note - I heard Vorticity Music www.vorticitymusic.com had picked up Mark Isaacs's new Album, interesting I thought they were a fusion company ( and only dealt with drummers). They have dabbled in Jazz I guess with the tours but what can they do with a more traditional jazz player. Mark has been around and worked with the best - he wouldnt go to Vorticity unless there was a very good reason - but you never know what goes on in the background

Actually thinking about it it is coincidental that Gerry has moved and Mark is doing what he is supposedly doing..I know Mark is the moderator, maybe he can shed some light...is there bad things happening at New Market or is there good things happening at Vorticity

How say you Mr Isaacs..?

[isaacs]

Jazzdude, see my post "Australian Tour" above. Yep, my new CD is coming out on Vorticity and yes, Gerry K. is currently promotions consultant for Vorticity.

As far as "fusion company" and "only dealing with drummers" we wouldn't want to confine artists to the genre of their first few releases, they often surprise us, so why not record labels?

Hope to see you at BL Feb 17th for the launch!

[pk]

any other thoughts on distribution mark? would be interesting to heard your comments on kenny's post.