' The Artist Revealed ' Interview - April 2011

Q1 - Tell us a little about your current project or latest release ?

My Night Groove CD, will be released to radio in May.  I particularly enjoyed this project because it came at a time when I was departing from purely latin music and moving into the jazz realm. I took my time experimenting with the compositions and arrangements, with the hope of creating a project that would be pleasing to both latin and jazz audiences.  The end result is a combination of jazz, fusion and latin influences. 

Tracks feature both guitar and sax solos. The guys and I had a great time recording the tracks. The first two tracks, Night Groove and Alpha-7, are my personal favorites because the arrangements were technically challenging. We smoothed it out with Latin Eyes and Unconditional Love, but maintained a strong latin influence. 

Q2 - Did you have any guests appearing on the project ?

Night Groove features some of the finest Denver-area musicians, including Mike Rodriguez on drums and percussion and Mike Urban on sax.  Robert Trujillo played a prominent role on horns, drums and various percussion instruments.

Q3 - How long did the project take from start to finish ?

In general, I work on each project for about a year, recording a variety of tunes and then selecting the tracks that work best together.  I like a lot of different kinds of music and I enjoy blending a variety of influences that stretch me as an artist and appeal to a broad audience.  Each project develops its own unique personality and as the personality of the project emerges, the right tracks stand out as a collection. 

Q4 - How do you go about marketing your music nowadays ?

I’m with NIGHT BEAT JAZZ, the label handles all of the marketing and promotion.  Radio plays a key role, when it comes to Smooth Jazz, internet radio rules as more and more traditional radio stations are abandoning the Smooth Jazz genre. I particularly appreciate open-minded hosts like Wes George at JazzNet247 for their willingness to showcase independent artists. 

In addition to radio, social networking like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter are excellent tools for developing a solid fan-base.  Video will play a prominent role in my future, as there are plans to tape new music videos and hopefully produce a live special that will be suitable for PBS.  We’re also considering putting together a US tour. We’re working on mobile phone applications.

We’re also working on improving my website and creating more opportunities to interface with the fans on a personal level.  Soon I’ll be sending personal video messages to the fans on my mailing list and we’re planning to schedule live chat sessions where I can speak directly with fans real-time.

Q5 - How do you see the industry developing over the next few years ?

Thanks to the internet, internet radio and worldwide distribution at our fingertips, the possibilities are limitless. It’s an exciting time, the music scene is truly a global community because music transcends time, space and language barriers.  As an artist, music is such a personal expression of our inner-most being, we do our best work when we are creatively free to be who we are.

Independent labels and internet radio are giving us the opportunity to create what we feel rather than being forced into a mold of what a major label-exec thinks the public wants to hear. Listeners are no longer limited to listening to local radio station playing the same tunes year after year.  Consumers are no longer limited to the local record store being the only place they can buy music.  Artists are no longer limited to a select few that get signed to a major-label.  At any hour of the day music from around the world is available, near real-time video can be shared in minutes, and fans and artists can interact on a personal level. 

 I think today’s audience is hungry to hear something new. For me personally as a music fan, independent labels and internet radio are certainly providing what I want to hear. Over the next few years, I expect the playing field to level between major label artists and independent artists with the opportunity for fans to hear and buy music worldwide continuing to grow.

I expect the Jazz and Smooth Jazz genres to thrive as the world-wide audience continues to grow.  I expect more internet radio stations to spring up, but the stations who continue to showcase new artists and have a talent for putting together an interesting mix of music will prevail.  

Q6 - Have you any plans to tour or appear at any festivals or events ?

ABSOLUTELY.  The past several years, I’ve been busy in the studio working on my own music and producing other artists.  I’m looking forward to getting out of the studio and doing live performances.  A variety of venues are under consideration in the US and I’d love to tour Europe someday.

Q7 - What do you do when you are not making music ?

I’m blessed to live in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. I enjoy hiking, observing wildlife and spending time with my family. I’m also a huge music fan, I enjoy listening other artists, I’m continually blown away by all the talent across the world.

Q8 - What does the immediate future hold in store for you ?

Currently, I’m creating tracks for my next release I’m auditioning musicians to form a touring band, and preparing to perform at a variety of venues in the US.  I’m preparing to tape some new music videos and hope to produce a live special for PBS.

Website :- www.danieldeaguero.com