Who knew that the world we be thrown upside down!? The world may feel upside down, but we can still swing! I'm using jazz music and the courageous mindsets jazz musicians have had to embrace for the history of that art form. "What's in your ear?"
Here at Zenzalai Music, we want you to know that we are thinking of you and your loved ones. I trust that you are safe and well during this global pandemic. We are in trying times and have yet to know how we’ll land. What we can expect is a new perspective bought on by these current circumstances. My personal hope is that we gain a perspective (and behaviors) reflecting that we are better together as humans, gain intercultural competencies, a respect for our environments, physical, mental and spiritual.
The record we made with the support of over 100 crowd funders, For the Love of Big Band, is Chartbound on the JazzWeek charts (one of the most important jazz charts in the industry). What that means is that amidst the fierce competition among hundreds of new music releases a week, we’re up there with the big names in our category. We couldn’t be prouder that as a little tiny indie label, Zenzalai Music is showing to be “big enough to dare.”
But, we’re also “small enough to care” and this email is just to say “Thank you” for helping us to get there! It has been really tough for a lot of people in the throes of the realities of a global pandemic pressing on all of us. We're having to worry about surviving and staying well while our loved ones getting sick and/or passing away. It is any wonder how the radio programmers manage to focus their minds to open an envelope and play new music they've been receiving! Somehow our CD pushed through the noise (with the help of a great promotion and marketing team in Carolyn McClair, Thembisa Mshaka, Mike Hurzon and Evvery Harvey Smith!) It seems that in all of this, the arts are being used as a healing and coping agent. Not at all surprised by that. WE ARE GRATEFUL!
Are you just learning about our March 9th release? I hope not! If so, here is a brief synopsis:
A woman-led big band of women and men; a live concert recorded in a historic church in Durham, NC. The project was funded by over 100 backers on Kickstarter and Eventbrite
We continue to press forward with our marketing to serve those of you who supported the work. Who knew that the world we be thrown upside down!? Thanks again to those of you who have posted on your social media and helped to spread the word about the release.
If you are as excited about the release as we are, would you consider leaving us a review on one of the music sites? We need reviews on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and/or YouTube of happy listeners! Would you please go to on one of these platforms and leave a review there for us? (Presumably a favorable one!) It would be a big help! You can listen/stream/download here: https://lenorazenzalaihelm.hearnow.com
You might be saying, “what do I say?” perhaps say something about the songs, the band, make recommendations about your preferred song. Your words help a potential buyer make a decision, especially if they are a new listener. You would be supporting not only my work, but the 40 individuals who were included in this project (yes, 40!).
The links to the different platforms are below:
PLEASE leave a review at your favorite outlet (Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify) from this link: https://lenorazenzalaihelm.hearnow.com
Here is the link of the entire album on its own YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m0nQockwl8hi7LxfReRtVClyVrtfPIFFA
We live in such a world of streaming and downloads, physical copies seem hard to find. It actually is BETTER for us for you to buy the physical copies directly from our Shopify store if you want copies for yourself of for friends. If you want to buy a physical copy of the CD, or other merchandise, go to www.ZenzalaiMusic.com
That’s it for now! Enjoy your time here on Earth, stay safe and maintain a positive outlook!
Until next time, Keep Swingin’
With Music,
Lenora