Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vinny Picardi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vinny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

The goal was to always earn a full-time living from music as that is our passion. We wake up every day thinking about music and how we can improve on a path to self reliance.
The journey has always been a challenge for any creative profession especially when it comes to music. The very nature of being a musician is simply not looked as a profession compared to more pedestrian work.
Even though we are “successful” and gigging regularly we find that clients and venues are not willing or don’t have the capacity to pay musicians what they truly deserve.
Therefore, we took the next step which was working hard to improve our sound to acquire better paying opportunities. In addition, we are currently seeking an agent to improve our chances and hasten the process.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The Jazz Baker Band heralds the music from the great jazz era. In our opinion the music from the 20s 30s and 40s was the best ever written. The band’s performances have great respect for every note and unique rhythm. This is the music, jazz, heard in nameless speakeasies of the 20s, cabarets, clubs and in people’s homes. Today the Jazz Baker Band is delivering this historic sound in a variety of venues currently.

The band gives these jazz standards a fresh twist by adding swing and sometimes Latin rhythms. And that’s not the only surprise you’ll notice when you experience our performances.

The band performs at clubs and venues throughout Long Beach and the Socal area. Their following is an eclectic mix of older and younger audiences alike. A tribute to the wide appeal of the Jazz Baker Band and the youth movement supporting their style of music and the rebirth of this era.

The Jazz Baker Band has been performing since 2015 at both small and grand venues. When they wail they hold no responsibility for the unleashed exuberance that routinely follows.

Our band is most proud of its constant commitment to improvement and how it’s gained traction by running a steady course, sticking together and enjoying the ride since its inception. We also, consider it an honor to play for do-good organizations as well as performing for the elderly, those with mental illness and inspiring younger generations by their live performances.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

For most people taking up the profession of a musician is not practical in any way and may in fact seem like a fools errand. What they don’t understand is that music to a creative person is like breathing air. So if they don’t play or create music they suffocate.

So we take on the slings and arrows the world throws at them with good faith. A faith that predicts success. And we build on these little successes in our journey. All while gaining momentum from the camaraderie of the band mates and its supporters.

We know its a cliche you don’t give up on what you truly believe was your life’s ambition.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One goal the Jazz Baker Band has embraced is to keep these styles of music alive. A we evolve as a society and have a tendency of gravitating to whatever is new, we instead, while appreciating new music forms, strive to keep the best music ever written alive

Contact Info:

• Website: http://jazzbakerband.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejazzbakerband
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzbakerband
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq0lzQowZplrhCGPDpHq2fw

Image Credits

Robert Prins, Vinny Picardi