The Gigging Gurus Podcast : Chronicles of Successful Musicians

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Christina Giacona is a multifaceted artist and educator. As the co-founder, producer, conductor, artistic director, and score supervisor for Onyx Lane, she brings a wealth of experience and creativity to every project. Christina is also a Lecturer on Native American, World and Popular Music and an affiliate faculty member for the Film and Media Department at The University of Oklahoma.

Fiercely dedicated to producing the music of our millennium, Christina has a rich history in the music industry, having served as the former Executive Director and clarinetist of the Los Angeles New Music Ensemble. Christina has worked on recording projects with Grammy-winning engineers and producers, including Tom Weir, Matthew Snyder, Mark Donahue, Tim Handley, Kevin Lively, Chris Collier, Steve Valenzuela, and Andrew Maury.

Patrick Conlon is a Canadian-American violinist and composer who is a genre-busting musician in every sense of the word, Patrick’s compositions have been described as "bridging the gap between classical music's ivory tower intellectualism and popular music's visceral sensualism.”

As a composer, Patrick has written for and collaborated with diverse groups such as the Los Angeles New Music Ensemble, Arkansas Symphony, Fort Smith Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma Virtuosi, RACE Dance Collective, and Oklahoma Contemporary.

Through his company Onyx Lane, Patrick has been composing, arranging, and producing music for film, sound installations, live performances, and album recordings. His work has been featured on the Naxos, Centaur, TBD Records, Azica Records, and Hit City U.S.A. labels. Patrick is also the Assistant Director of The Academy of Contemporary Music at The University of Central Oklahoma and teaches courses in Film Scoring, Studio Recording and Composition.

Join us as we delve into the creative worlds of Christina and Patrick on this Episode of The Gigging Gurus.

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The Gigging Gurus Podcast - Episode 2: Scott Tixier

Scott Tixier is a multifaceted artist known for his exceptional skills as a jazz violinist, educator, and composer. Born in France, Scott began his musical journey at a young age and has since become a prominent figure in the international jazz scene. He has performed and collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians in the industry, including Jon Batiste, Kenny Barron, Chris Potter, and Earth Wind & Fire. In addition to his performance career, Scott is a dedicated educator at The University of North Texas, sharing his knowledge and passion for jazz at the collegiate level. Notably, he has developed the jazz strings program at the University of North Texas into a relevant music industry lab. This program focuses on studies in improvisation but also includes scoring to picture, arranging, composing, amplification, recording, and exploring their sound as an artist.

Scott draws inspiration from non-musical, day-to-day interactions with other people and their experiences, which deeply influence his artistic expression. In this episode of The Gigging Gurus Podcast, we delve into Scott's inspiring journey, from his early days as a musician to his current status as a respected figure in the jazz community. Scott discusses the delicate balance he maintains between his performance career and collaborative projects, and his role as a collegiate jazz educator and composer. He offers valuable insights into how he manages his time and energy to excel in multiple facets of the music industry.

We also explore the importance of sound and intention in artistic expression. Scott shares his thoughts on how to cultivate and develop a unique voice as an artist, emphasizing the significance of personal authenticity and continuous learning. His advice is both inspiring and practical, making this episode a must-listen for musicians and artists at any stage of their career.

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind Scott Tixier's success and learn how you can apply his wisdom to your own artistic journey.

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The Gigging Gurus Episode 1 Trailer - This month's special guest is Timothy Loo. Timothy Loo is cello soloist, chamber musician, freelancer, music contractor AND a co-owner of Sabron payroll company.
Music - "Constellation Chamber" written by Nick Earl and performed by Anaphase.
Episode 1 - Produced by Buffi Jacobs
Podcast Mixed by Bach Norwood

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Welcome to the debut episode of 'The Gigging Gurus' podcast! I’m your host, Buffi Jacobs, and I’m thrilled to have you join us as we kick off our journey into the dynamic and mysterious world of music freelancing. In this episode, we are honored to have Timothy Loo, a multifaceted musician and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles.

Timothy Loo is not just a talented cello soloist and chamber musician; he’s also a seasoned freelancer, contractor, and co-owner of Sabron Entertainment Payroll Services. His unique blend of artistic and business acumen makes him the perfect guest to help us understand the ins and outs of a successful freelance music career.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Tim’s Journey: How he started his career and the pivotal moments that shaped his path.
• Balancing Multiple Roles: How he manages to excel as a performer, contractor, and business owner.
• Insider Tips: Practical advice for navigating the freelance music industry, from finding gigs to managing finances.
• Inspiring Stories: Personal anecdotes and experiences that will motivate and empower you to pursue your own unique path in music.

Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the most versatile and successful musicians in the industry.

This episode was produced by Buffi Jacobs and edited by Bach Norwood.

"Constellation Chamber" (the podcast theme and music underscoring) was composed by Nick Earl and performed by Anaphase.

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