Jamie Ousley
12th Annual Jazz Album Nominee
12th Annual Jazz Song Nominee
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Jazz Album
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Record Label: TIE Records
www.jamieousley.com
Home Base: Miami, FL
Genre: Jazz
Categories Entered: Jazz Album & Jazz Song
Work Submitted: Album: A Sea of Voices, Song: “Steam”
Artists Featured: Jamie Ousley – double bass, Joe Davidian – piano, Austin McMahon – drums, Nanami Morikawa – vocals, Carlomagno Araya – percussion, Gabriel Saientz – piano
Label: TIE Records
Who are your influences?: Ray Brown, Bill Evans, Charlie Haden
Describe your nominated work: A Sea of Voices is full of water-inspired compositions performed and improvised primarily by a jazz trio of musicians that have been playing together for over a decade. The report between the musicians is subtle and polished. The simplistic “folk-song” quality of the original compositions allows the players to take some interesting musical journeys together.
Did you use any unusual effects or instruments in this recording?: Everything is real and acoustic
Were there any happy accidents while in the studio, or did everything go as planned?: as planned.
How did you raise the funds for this project? How long do you expect it will take to recoup your out-of-pocket recording expenses?: I expect the success of this project will grow my career, which will help me to pay off the credit card that sponsored this project. 🙂
Why did you choose to submit this work to The 12th IMAs?: I see the IMAs as a prominent organization for identifying quality independent musicians. Any awards like this are very useful “credentials” for relatively unknown artists. The IMA award/nomination is also very helpful for my tenure process at my university where I’m a music professor.
What’s your definition of success and how will you know when you’ve achieved it?: I already earn a living as a music artist, so I consider that a great success. I’ll know I’ve achieved a greater level of success when I can travel the world playing music and stay in 5-star hotels.
How will you leverage your IMA honors to achieve your career goals?: I will send out email & social media blasts. My school/employer (Florida International University) will also include this in a newsletter & jazz email blast that covers Florida. I’ll also use it to help sell CD’s at shows, not to mention press releases for upcoming projects.
Who’s sitting in your audience and what makes your fans unique?: Jazz fans are typically older and more sophisticated and/or nostalgic… My music is a little easier for non-jazz fans to grasp onto, so it appeals to those who appreciate beauty and melody.
What is your guilty pleasure on the road? Any close calls or mishaps while on tour?: My guilty pleasure on the road is having enough time to explore and check out the local culture and food. I just climbed Poas Volcano in Costa Rica last week! Luckily, it didn’t erupt at the time. Close call?
Who are your musical heroes & influences?: My jazz bass hero is Ray Brown. Other influences are the great improvisers like Keith Jarrett, Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans & Charlie Haden.
Are there any songs you wish you wrote and why?: I wish I wrote “So in Love” by Cole Porter. It’s the most beautiful song.
What artists are you listening to that would surprise your fans?: Tony Bennett
How do you discover new music? Do you buy music or are you content with streaming?: I discover a lot of new music from my students and surfing You-Tube. I buy music that I consider “classic” and that I know I’ll listen to for the rest of my life. . .I’m content to stream more casual stuff.
How will musicians make a living if fans continue to expect music to be free?: Live performances & fan-funded projects (via artist share & kickstarter). Hopefully musicians can continue to make music via licensing for movies and other pop outlets as well.
What don’t fans/audiences understand about the music industry today?: That it’s still very expensive to produce high quality recordings and promote them.
Are digital singles/EPs vs. full albums the future?: Probably… people’s attention spans are getting a lot shorter. Most people don’t sit down and listen to a whole CD in one sitting.
Finish this sentence: The music industry is… in the best of times AND the worst of times.
What do you have in the works for the upcoming year?: Hopefully a bass & vocals duo project.
URL: www.jamieousley.com