record labels

dennis

my CD is nearing completion and I'm not sure what to do with it as far as distribution goes. I put an insane amount of effort into this CD, it features some of the best of the best local jazz musicians as well as a few international stars such as Ritary Gaguenetti, Herve Gaguenetti, Frank Gambale, and many amazing unknown local musicians etc. This CD is 100 percent self-financed and I'm practically broke now (I had to teach many many gruelling hours of guitar to snotty kids). I would like some advice as to which approach I should take for selling my CD...

I am a complete newbie to this, so my questions may seem stupid, but I would like to know if I should approach labels for distribution (a local canadian jazz label "Justin Times" seems interesting)? If so, what kind of deal can I expect from them? www.justin-time.com

Basically I was wondering how much I would make per CD if I went through them or any other local jazz labels knowing that I paid for the entire project from A to Z... I would definitely like to have my CD distributed in at least Europe, and North America... which route should I take?

any expert opinion is appreciated!

D

MichaelHorowitz

My guess is self distribution is the way to go. The Gypsy jazz market is tiny...most people who are interested in buying a Gypsy jazz CD will go to one of a few sites that specialize in the genre (i.e. hotclub uk, djangobooks, etc.) Some of the bigger names get on amazon. But for the most part local record stores aren't going to carry it. The market is just too small. You'll probably sell the most at your gigs...that's the case for most Gypsy jazz musicians I know. So why have a middle man take half your profit?...I really don't think they could sell much more the if you did it yourself. Actually, that's how DjangoBooks started. I didn't want to go through a publisher (they take 90%!).

Good luck...can't wait to hear it!

'm

dennis

thanks for the help michael...

one of the other things though is that since i'm no andreas or bireli, or anything like that I made the album a little bit more different and a little bit more (ok much more) radio friendly in that it includes 3 singers.. one of them a pop/blues singer (on an RnB version of Nature Boy featuring Frank Gambale and Herve Gaguenetti doing a funk pompe over a Fender Rhodes and drums haha).. i'm also targetting the Canadian and especially Quebecois audience since it features many very well known artists who have a following of their own.

I'm especially happy with the radio friendly tunes (Stardust, Seul ce soir, Nature Boy) that have the singers, I put a lot of effort into "arranging" these tunes ... Seul Ce Soir features a young parisian lady singer.. and there's gonna be a Hammond-B3 on it and trombone!

One of my questions, if I decide to go with a jazz label and they offer me 1.50 per CD sold through them... Could I still sell my own stock of CDs on my own and charge full price (and keep all the profits)?

I'll post a few clips in a few weeks , then finally I will be able to work on Finale and getting those waltzes and Rtiary solos done!

MichaelHorowitz

dennis wrote:

thanks for the help michael...


One of my questions, if I decide to go with a jazz label and they offer me 1.50 per CD sold through them... Could I still sell my own stock of CDs on my own and charge full price (and keep all the profits)?

Depends on the distribution deal...in general they are only going to let you sell them at gigs. All stores and other retailers will have to buy from the distributor.

AndreasOberg

Dennis, I look forward to hear your cd! I hope you'll find a good label or distributor.

Is Frank really playing or are you just kidding me :?:

Best Regards
Andreas

dennis

thanks for the replies!

yes Andreas, the Thunder From Down Under is on the CD. Unfortunately he does not play as many sweeps as I would have liked him to have done... his solo is more "Bensonesque" than his usual stuff... I'll post clips ASAP

AndreasOberg

Oh, I didn't know that you knew him:)
I saw him play in LA last week at the Baked Potato.
Best Regards
Andreas

Colin Perry

Dennis--

I agree with Michael. I think self-distibution is almost always the way to go these days. You've aleady developed a name for yourself amongst the Django internet community, and they are plenty of ways to sell your CD online. Sites like CD baby are great for independent artists. I wouldn't recommend Justin Time, although it doesn't hurt to inquire. They distribute a lot of artists, and push very few of them. Even someone like Susie Arioli, who's CD's are practically, if not already, gold gets very little promotional support from them. There is no point in giving away 90% of your CD sales away unless the they are able to turn your 10% into more than your 100% would have been without them. Also labels will often want a multiple CD commitment and high percentages of even the CD's you sell yourself at shows. Keep me posted, one of the bands I play in has had a CD in the can for a couple months now, ane we are still feeling out what to do with it as well.