Music Travel Guide

Today’s episode is one I’m really excited to share!I had the chance to meet saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Immanuel Wilkins in my hometown, Mantova (Italy), during the 45th edition of Mantova Jazz - one of Europe’s most historic and respected jazz festivals.Immanuel is one of the most distinctive voices in today’s jazz scene, not only for his sound, but for how deeply he reflects on what it means to create.In our conversation, we dive into the heart of the creative process: the tension between concept and creation, and what it means to trust your ideas before the music exists.Immanuel shares how his album The 7th Hand began as a pure concept, and how he learned to move from theory into sound, from uncertainty into faith.Whether you’re an independent artist, composer, or musician walking your own creative path, this conversation is an invitation to reflect on how you relate to your ideas, and how to keep trusting your process, even when you’re not sure if it works.Hope you'll enjoy Immanuel's reflections as much as I did!Table of contents:03:49 Finding the balance between concept and intuition09:07 When the idea takes the lead over the practice11:42 Creating music in service of something biggerTake this 3-minute quiz to find out how prepared you are to promote your music, plus a clear action plan to improve it. 👉🏻 TAKE THE QUIZ NOWLet's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Your best strategy will always be your clarity of desire. When you know exactly what you want and why you want it. I believe that kind of clarity will do more for you than any technique in the world. Now…the question is: how do you, as a musician, achieve that kind of clarity in your music career?To help you explore that, I’m very excited to welcome Dave Stapleton.Dave is a British composer, pianist, producer, and the founder of Edition Records. Since launching the label in 2008, he’s grown it into one of Europe’s most respected independent record labels, home to a lineup of internationally acclaimed artists redefining contemporary jazz.Dave’s musical journey—from his early quintet recordings to the work with Slowly Rolling Camera—reflects the evolution of Edition itself: a label that started small and now provides a global platform for boundary-pushing artists. In this episode, Dave opens up about why having a clear artistic vision is essential for DIY musicians and independent artists.We dive into how to define your career direction, the questions that help you decide your next move, and practical, proven strategies for building meaningful, lasting connections in the music industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your path as an artist, this conversation will give you the clarity, guidance, and confidence to take your next steps with purpose.Make sure to listen to Dave's insights all the way through! 🎧Table of contents:2:48 Creating Edition Records13:28 Your first step to clarifying your career direction19:26 Getting honest and clear about why you make music30:37 2 key questions to sharpen your focus moving forward38:10 Networking that actually gets responses from industry pros46:03 Building meaningful artist-fan connections in today’s music industryReady to Promote Your Next Release?Take this 3-minute quiz to find out how prepared you are to promote your music, plus a clear action plan to improve it. 👉🏻 TAKE THE QUIZ NOWLet's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Learn how to turn your music journey into a compelling story that builds real fans.To help us break this down, I’m thrilled to be joined by Eric Karsenty.Eric is a classically trained piano player with a deep passion for jazz, and a music-obsessed marketer with over two decades of experience delivering global campaigns and partnerships for some of the biggest names in the business, including Warner Music, Apple Music, Yamaha, and Sonos. In 2016, Eric founded Bridge The Gap Management, a forward-thinking artist management and label services company that helps independent jazz-rooted artists and musicians release their music with clarity, intention, and strategy. In our conversation, we explore how you can craft your narrative, how to tell your story consistently across channels, and how to weave storytelling into your music promotion in a way that’s both authentic and effective.Make sure to listen to Eric's insights all the way through! 🎧Table of contents:3:19 What first sparked Eric’s love for jazz7:54 How jazz has shaped the way Eric thinks about artist development and storytelling today 25:58 Helping artists open up and share their personal stories34:22 A storytelling win: corto.alto case study42:05 Weaving storytelling into your music promotion strategy57:20 Building solid marketing foundations with storytelling at the core Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 SIGN UPInterested in learning more about our membership community for DIY passionate artists?Join our Club with a 14-day free trial 👉🏻 BECOME A MEMBER

What does it really mean to define your artistic identity? And how do you know when you’ve found it? Luciane Dom has some answers for you.✨Born in Brazil, Luciane is a multilingual singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound flows between soul, jazz, R&B, and Afro-Brazilian roots.  Her voice is instantly captivating, but it’s her artistic identity that truly sets her apart. In this episode, Luciane shares how she began shaping her artistic self, one intentional step at a time. We talk about the defining moments that sparked her clarity, the early actions she took to stand out, and what “authenticity” really means to her in a noisy world.She also opens up about the mindset shifts, daily practices, and creative rituals that have helped her stay aligned with her truth—insightful advice for any artist finding their way.Luciane doesn’t just perform, she inhabits her art. I believe that her story is a reminder that your identity is not something you find once, but something you master over time. Enjoy listening! 🎧Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] in learning more about our membership community for DIY passionate artists?Join our Club with a 14-day free trial 👉🏻 BECOME A MEMBERWant the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 SIGN UP

What makes someone stop and really listen when you talk about your music?In today’s episode, I am dropping into a highlight from a recent live Q&A inside our Club, featuring none other than Allie Silver, world music artist manager and founder of Free Radical Productions.Over the past decade, Allie has managed and produced more than 50 international tours across 37 countries, bringing artists to some of the most iconic venues and festivals on the planet. Through her acclaimed Band Therapy program, she’s helped countless artists and industry pros build strong, sustainable global careers. In our conversation,Allie gets right into how to present yourself in a way that stands out, starting with one of the most powerful tools you have: your elevator pitch. She shares super actionable tips on how to weave your story and uniqueness into a pitch that truly grabs attention.Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] in learning more about our membership community for serious DIY artists?Join our Club with a 14-day free trial 👉🏻 BECOME A MEMBERWant the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 SIGN UP

How do you find the right creative partners? How do you build a thriving music community around you? To break it all down, I’m sitting down with Alexander Flood—one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and versatile drummers.His sound is a fusion of nu-jazz, deep house, broken beat, DnB, funk, and experimental vibes—completely his own. Back in 2020, just a few years after topping his jazz program, he signed with US label Stretch Music and dropped his debut album, Heartbeat.Two years later, he followed it up with The Space Between—an album that wasn’t just about the music but about connection, featuring heavy-hitters like Christian Scott and Vivian Sessoms.And that’s exactly what we’re diving into today.In this episode, Alexander breaks down what it really takes to collaborate as an artist—how he finds creative partners, builds an artistic community, and brings people together to make meaningful music. We’re also talking about the evolution of contemporary jazz and getting an exclusive look at his upcoming album, Artifactual Rhythm. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!Check out the Table of Contents 👉🏻 HERE.Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 HERE!

I love the music and energy that emerge from artists who make their multi-creative sides shine together contagiously. One such artist is James Berkeley.As an instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer, James has established himself in the UK jazz, soul, and R&B scenes through a wide range of musical projects.Whether delivering electrifying live performances with his band Yakul or working behind the scenes producing and writing for other artists, he’s built an impressive reputation.He’s worked extensively with legendary jazz outfit Incognito, and his collaboration with R&B powerhouse Mereba has racked up over a million streams, all leading up to Yakul’s acclaimed 2021 debut, Rise Indigo.Now, James is stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist—plus, his debut album drops this year!Beyond his music, James is passionate about sharing his journey. He offers insights and advice to fellow musicians on social media. With over a decade in the industry, he uses his experience to help others carve their paths.That’s exactly why I wanted to interview him—to learn about his creative process, deep connection to jazz, soul, and R&B, and how he’s crafted such a unique sound. We also get into the art of building an authentic online presence in today’s music world.Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one. Enjoy the conversation!Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] to stay in the loop on Europe’s most exciting music events and get expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 HERE!

If there's one musician who truly embodies resilience, it's Lakecia Benjamin.Just a couple of weeks ago, at the 60th Jazzfest Berlin, I had the privilege of sitting down with powerhouse saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin for an inspiring conversation. Throughout her career, she's played alongside legends like Anita Baker, the Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, the Roots, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, and so many more. After a serious car accident in 2021, Lakecia didn't just bounce back—she wrote new music that would become her latest album, Phoenix, earning three Grammy nominations. Her journey shows just how far small steps forward can go. Lakecia opened up about her roots growing up in Washington Heights, New York, a predominantly Dominican neighbourhood pulsing with Latin music.She shared insights into her 2020 album Pursuance: The Coltranes, her triple Grammy-nominated 2023 Phoenix, the influence of Alice and John Coltrane, and the courage it takes to reveal your authentic self to an online audience as an independent artist. I saw Lakecia in an incredible concert at Quasimodo.What impressed me the most was her attitude. I had to think of what Miles Davis once said: "Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherfucker who plays it is 80 percent." The concert wasn't just music, it was a party with all of us - we all celebrated life and women in music.I love her story, her truth and her drive. Enjoy listening! 🎧 Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

If you’ve ever found yourself relaxing on the couch with a warm cup of tea, lost in thought about your day, Cecily’s beautiful music is exactly what you need to enhance those moments. Cecily is an amazing vocalist and songwriter based in DC, known for her soothing and rich voice. She describes her music as a blend of soul with strong influences from jazz, 90’s R&B, and a touch of folk.She’s shared the stage with some incredible talent, opening for award-winning artists like Gregory Porter and Jose James, as well as R&B stars like Johnny Gill, Kenny Lattimore, and Elle Varner. She’s even performed alongside folk artist Becca Stevens and alternative soul pioneer Bilal. Just this past June, she released Awakening Pt. II, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2019 project Awakening Pt. I. I had the pleasure of chatting with her virtually on Zoom, and it was truly inspiring. We explored her musical influences, reminisced about her experiences at the Umbria Jazz Festival, and discussed her connection to Gil Scott-Heron. We also delved into the messages and creative process behind Awakening Pt. II. We wrapped up our conversation by talking about her approach to songwriting and the challenges of releasing an album independently. It was such a delightful exchange, and I really hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed our conversation! 🎧Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Etuk Ubong is without a doubt one of the most electrifying trumpet players in Africa.Seun Kuti himself called him ‘one of the best things to come out of Lagos,’ and it’s easy to see why. Etuk picked up the trumpet at 14 and hasn’t looked back since.What sets him apart is his fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, and the traditional drumming of the Ekombi, creating his signature sound, 'Earth Music.' It’s a captivating mix of spiritual, high-energy, and deeply moving rhythms.I had the chance to sit down with Etuk before his set at the Dürchluften Festival 2024 and our conversation was nothing short of inspiring.We dove into his musical influences, deep connection to Fela Kuti, jazz studies at the University of Cape Town, and how he crafted his unique genre: Earth Music.We also touched on the importance of documenting your journey online, and Etuk had some incredible insights to share on that. Chatting with him was a spiritual experience, and I hope you'll feel the same listening to the episode. 🎧What stood out to you most?Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] our Online Music Networking Event on Tuesday, September 24 at 7 pm CET!I'd love to invite you to our Music Networking Event! The event is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other artists &musicians worldwide. It's a chance to share your ideas and discuss various aspects of your musical realm, such as upcoming releases or shows, exciting music discoveries, ongoing projects, seeking feedback/discussing your major challenges.Get ready for a session filled with great exchanges. 🙂To join the session, access the Zoom link 👉🏻 HERE. PS. Make sure to add the event to your calendar.I can't wait to see you!