Bill C: Soul Funkified Jazz – Page 5 of 7

June 11 at the Revolution in Boston

The Revolution turned out to be an interesting night. There was a booking mix-up as happens occasionally so there were three bands performing that night. We had to quickly scramble to make sure everyone got on stage somewhere near their originally scheduled time. The good news was that there was a very good turnout for the night.

The Revolution is adorned with rock memorabilia and very comfortably fitted with a number of sofa pits as well as traditional bar stools and stands. The club’s staple are DJ’s and they have a couple of nights a week with live music spotlights. I think their typical performance is more pop/rock oriented so we take them a little by surprise when we hit the stage.

We hit at 9:00 and had a very good show. One of the highlights has to be Keita Ogawa, our percussionist who during his solo on Rigamaroll had the chef come dancing out of the kitchen to enjoy the music. Keita has been getting some big name gigs with Yo Yo Ma and Tiger Okoshi and I think the experience is upping his game. He was incredible which elevated all of us. I swear I’ve never seen Keith (Kirkpatrick, our ever solid bassist) smile so much.

The results of the April Newport Jazz Fest contest are in… Thanks.

I am sorry it took a couple of days to post this… I have been swamped. But I want to thank you for all of your support over the last two months. We placed 3^rd for April’s JVC Newport Jazz Festival contest at OurStage. I don’t know what it’s going to take to get the Festival Board to notice us, but a 1^st place in March and a 3^rd in April is a pretty good start.

I can’t tell you how much your support means to me. It’s uplifting and encouraging in an industry with too many knocks and disappointments. It just re-enforces for me that I am performing for you, not the festival boards or media companies. I hope you make it to a show some time soon and I get a chance to thank you in person.

The JVC contest continues into July. Then the board picks two of the top bands from the OurStage contests to perform at the festival. This year’s line-up is amazing and the festival just keeps getting bigger and better every year. So hopefully 2008 is the year we debut. Peace to you and yours… and be well.

Ciao’

Bill C

I owe you!!! I didn’t know what I was asking….

First let me say Thank You for your support as we won First Place in March’s competition for the JVC Newport Jazz Festival, and I will now be considered for a performance slot at the festival this summer. I am so grateful and totally blessed to have the kind of friends that will step up in this way, and now it is in the hands of the Festival board. OurStage is holding 3 or 4 more monthly competitions and the contest rules state only that OurStage and the Festival Board will choose 2 of the top bands to perform. I will keep you posted of any updates I get.

Also, I have received a few messages from the faithful friends who helped me out by voting for my music in OurStage competition, and I have learned of the time and trouble involved in voting at the site. My good friend Christopher spent four hours ranking music. I am incredibly blessed and humbled that you would make this effort. I had no idea how long or complicated this was going to be when I asked you to get involved, and I am actually upset at the OurStage people that they would put people through this kind of thing. I never would have asked if I had any idea how frustrating and time consuming this would be for you. As a small gesture to begin to thank you for your support, I am offering Circles free for my friends at a special page on my website. Go to http://billchampitto.com/SpecialThanks.html and you will receive a Download of Circles for your computer, iPod or mp3 player. I have also created a ring tone which you can get for you cell phone, again at no charge. I know this only begins to repay you for your support and effort, but please accept this small gift. Be well.

My music is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Napster and Rhapsody

My most recent CD, “Water’s Edge” is now available for sale on the worlds most popular online music stores. The CD had already been released on Snocap and directly through my website at www.billchampitto.com.

This is exciting news for me and I hope if you’ve hesitated downloading from MySpace, you will consider downloading from these other very legit music stores.

This is the first time one of my releases has made it to the major outlets. You can get there directly following the link below.

Why do you?

In my last post I responded to a challenge posed to me by a fellow artist claiming their soul was not for sale and the ensuing idealistic rant on the evils of commercialization and money for art. I’m ok with where I stand on this (its good to make money with your art – if you can) and really don’t worry much about what others have to say. Someone is always willing to play armchair quarterback when you are the one in the game. I will say though that every once in a while, a solid dose of “Why am I doing this?” is a good thing. If you can be honest with yourself and the answer bothers you, its time to make a change… if it doesn’t bother you then you will be forever inspired in your art.

I do this because it is in me and I no longer know how not to do it. I love creating music… and live for that point in time when you walk onto a stage and create a magical moment from dust, using only my fingers, my unique voice, and pour my heart into it. It is a naked adventure where talent and creative energy make a connection with an audience… without loops, lasers, dancers and backing tracks… that is what I’ve sold out to, and I’m good with that.

Am I selling my soul… again?

I recently became part of another very interesting online artist community. There was a thread of discussion where my fellow artists were basically saying their souls are not for sale. They started talking about the evils of commercials and selling ads and having their art used to sell cars – one posted that people would sell ad space on their forehead.

I am an artist who needs money to survive, live my life, and continue to create more music. I do what I love, but am dependent on the few outlets available to me to bring in enough money to keep a roof over my head, food on the table and allow me to spend time developing and growing as an artist. On the web, these are our options:
– sell access to the content (recording – people pay for the download or viewing)
– merch, where I sell my fan base memorabilia of shows, items with logos, pictures, etc
– ads, I generate traffic (eyeballs) and someone pays to have their ads shown to those eyeballs
– license my music to someone who pays to use my work as part of their work (e.g. video games, movies, tv shows etc). The latter 2 seem to strike an unpleasant chord with some of my new friends and also posters here. I don’t write my music to sell cars or promote sports events. I HAVE submitted some of my work for licensing opportunities and of course post my work on sites that make money from ads. I also don’t disregard artists who are able to write jingles, tv theme songs, or other commercial uses. Some of these folks are extremely talented and their work is no less important or impactful than my friend’s who is touring Eastern Europe writing traditional composition, improvisations and teaching modern techniques to classical music enthusiasts.

I empathize with those who struggle for purity in their art and disdain commercial pressures and cultural ideas of success. I admire you if you’re able to create in a way that is not influenced by such energy. Me, I just cut out a solo and shortened an interlude to get my recent recording down to under 5 minutes so I can promote on more popular outlets and have a better chance for radio play. I hope I haven’t disappointed you, but I won’t apologize. And I do wish you the best. Be well.

Ciao’
Bill C

A review from “The Vault” magazine

The Vault, a prominent music industry magazine that focuses on upcoming indie artists targeting the music industry execs who are interested in this talent pool. Here is their entire review…

Bill Champitto – You Know Me

Ladies and gentleman, a VAULT first, an adult contemporary review!!! Let me preface the review with the following: 1) I am not a fan of adult contemporary, and 2) When it comes to the intricacies of the genre, I have no idea what I am talking about. What I can speak to is passion and commitment — picking one thing and doing it better than anyone else. If I, a total non fan of the genre, can pick up on Bill Champitto’s passion through just a couple of quick listens, I think it is safe to say Bill knows what he is doing. “You Know Me” is soulful and jazzy, with a slight reggae edge at times. Will you find the disc in my car? No. The CD player by the pool? Why the hell not. Variety is the spice of life. Oh and his picture rocked.

Thanks! You are the best…

Recently I asked you to help the band out for an online contest. I want to thank you for being such a solid friend, and taking the time to vote for us in the going.com contest. The voting closed October 6 and we ended up in 3^rd… Not too shabby.

The bands selected to perform on Tuesday are both very good and well deserving, with Lansdowne and Pete Kilpatrick getting the votes needed to open for the show. So hopefully I’ll see you at an upcoming show. My calendar is posted on my website (http://billchampitto) and on myspace at http://myspace.com/billchampitto.

I realty do appreciate your support and wish you and your family all the best. Be well.

Ciao’
Bill C

mySpace top artists? who knew?

Yesterday someone messaged me that I was listed in the Top Artists section as number 2 in the neo-soul category for MA. I didn’t know that mySpace had charts. . . I guess I am a little clueless about mySpace. . . and what is that category?

So I checked it out. . . there I was, number 2 after Gamble from East Hampton. I don’t know them but I’ll check them out. I figure this category isn’t a big one. . I checked out the jazz category for MA and I’m 20 – still a nice number – thanks however that happens. . . I don’t have a clue how the ranking works. . . so my profile is actually listed in three categories – jazz, neo-soul and R&B

I didn’t even show up in MA under the R&B category – a lot of current urban acts listed – so I guess I need to find a neo-R&B category – so anyway, I suppose that’s why I’m not listed there.

Well thanks guys for whatever you had to do with it. Ok, so I don’t know how this works, but it’s nice to show up on these charts. Be well.

Ciao’
Bill C

New faces, old faces…always good music

So recently I’ve introduced a new player – an old friend actually – to the band. Keith Kirkpatrick has joined me on Bass. He’s a veteran with a lot of experience and those of you who met him in Saratoga know how solid he is.

Also, my good friends Keita Ogawa and singer Hiromi Suda will be traveling to Brazil to study and perform. So you’ll be seeing more of Ricardo Monzon who will be joining me again for a series of shows. Because of Ricardo’s busy schedule, you may be seeing some others sitting in on percussion over the summer.

I have a great summer calendar and I hope you get a chance to check out some of those outdoor gigs and festivals… I look forward to seeing you. Be well.

Ciao’
Bill C