The Music Exchange: Recent Episodes
Louis Danowsky
Welcome to the Music Exchange - a forum dealing in thoughtful discussions on music, business, culture, current events, and more. Join Louis Danowsky as he sits down with luminaries of various fields to discuss matters that are shaping the world today.
Broadway theatre has been shut down since March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to the Broadway League, that shutdown is set to continue until at least January 2021. While many theaters across the country are following the Broadway League's lead, two productions in Pittsfield, Massachusetts have decided to move forward this summer with the Actors' Equity Association's approval: "Godspell" at Berkshire Theatre Group and "Harry Clarke" at Barrington Stage Company. Under strict precautionary guidelines and constant uncertainty, the productions are testing the viability of theatre during a global pandemic. Nick Edwards, playing the role of Jesus in this production of "Godspell," sits down with me to discuss the many challenges the cast and creative team have faced in mounting this production as well as the welcome relief of being able to practice his craft again.
Gregg Latterman is an entrepreneur and angel investor who is the Founder and CEO of Aware Records. Gregg started Aware in 1993 while a CPA at PwC, creating a compilation of unsigned bands known as the "Aware Compilation," which became immensely popular. Discovering his passion for helping give great musicians a bigger platform, Gregg left PwC to work on Aware full-time, which had 10 employees by the time Gregg completed his MBA. Through Aware and its joint venture with Columbia records, Gregg was able to bring several musicians and bands to prominence including Five for Fighting, The Fray, Train, and John Mayer. Gregg continues to stay active in the music industry today, and he also teaches Positive Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University and lectures at the Kellogg School of Management.
Much of Gregg's approach to entrepreneurship involves finding a calling rather than a career, taking time to discover what you're passionate about and find intrinsically rewarding, and using that intrinsic motivation to create success and contribute positively to the world.
Send comments and questions about today's episode to louisdanowsky@gmail.com
Steven Banks, Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College, is a young phenom making a name for himself in the world of contemporary classical music as a performer, educator, composer, and advocate.
Steven's 2017 TEDx Northwestern Talk "Into the Cannon: Equity in Classical Music" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUmnVSil_S8) shined a spotlight on how conservatories take for granted the classical music canon without much thought as to how or why the meaningful contributions of women and people of color have been historically omitted from it.
In this episode, Louis and Steven expand on the ideas presented in his TEDx Talk, discussing the roots of Steven's advocacy, the obstacles he's faced in effecting change, the many ways people can make the world of classical music a more inclusive environment for those of diverse backgrounds, and why it all matters.
To learn more about Steven Banks and his work, visit http://steven-banks.com/
Send comments and questions about today's episode to louisdanowsky@gmail.com