In an effort to arm New Orleans musicians with the knowledge and tools crucial for career longevity, the City of New Orleans Mayor's Office of Nighttime Economy has joined forces with The Ella Project and the New Orleans Public Library, rolling out Block 3 of the Music Census Sessions—a lifeline for musicians and industry pros aiming to sustain and enhance their music ventures. Set to occur in September and October, this latest round of educational series is being served up at no cost, making it accessible to all who yearn for insights on career sustainability, professional team assembly, and the lucrative world of licensing opportunities, as announced by the city's office.
The upcoming virtual sessions are slated to span across several weeks with the first, locked in for Thursday at 2:00 PM, concentrating on fostering enduring careers, digging into alternative financial streams, and marrying creativity with financial prudence, this session is featuring presenters Shamarr Allen, Raney Antoine, and Sarah Quintana. Following on its heels, Wednesday, September 24 aligns with a primer on building and nurturing your music squad, meaning artists will be schooled on choosing and cooperating with key players such as managers, agents, publicists, and legal counsel—and how to keep those relationships professionally beneficial, this encounter is fronted by notable industry figures Lou Hill, Mike Kappus, and Bri Whetstone. The final curtain call, happening Wednesday, October 1, will throw the spotlight on wrangling sync licensing deals, honing in on the creation of music fit for film, TV, and beyond, and building rapport with music supervisors; a session led by Blake Leyh and, again, Lou Hill "Our musicians should have the resources they need to feel confident that they can transact in a way that maximizes their opportunities to earn without losing control of their creative content, which is the legacy of New Orleans," Ashlye Keaton Esq., co-founder of The Ella Project, told the city's office.
With a tapestry of music that's as rich as beignets are sweet, New Orleans has forever danced to its own rhythm, and the city is putting its money where its mouth is—or rather, its musical notes—to ensure its vibrant community of artists thrives, not just survives, said Julia E. Heath, the Policy & Outreach Manager for the Office of Nighttime Economy
