SYMPHONY NOTES Bassist Kevin Jablonski talks about the

BY KEVIN JABLONSKI Tthe furlough continues for the Musicians of the Nashville Symphony (MOTNS). All musicians have been without a paycheck since July 1, and the drought could extend into next summer. But we have been busy getting organized on our own, and our efforts have revolved around two main goals. We want to raise money to distribute directly to the musicians to get everyone through this time, and concurrently, we still want to keep performing, teaching, and engaging with our community. People need music now more than ever to be a beacon of positivity, comfort, and hope, so we believe it is essential to serve our community with our talents. While the trajectory of the pandemic will necessarily dictate exactly how we share our music, the virus will not stop us from doing so completely. We will do whatever we can in whatever form is necessary to continue our mission.

Donations are needed

Several exciting developments have been announced in recent weeks on these fronts. In September, the Musicians of the Nashville Symphony established a financial aid fund to provide direct financial assistance to the furloughed musicians. One hundred percent of the donations will go directly to the orchestra musicians to provide some relief in this time of crisis. The collection and distribution of funds is being overseen by the symphony musicians’ 501(c)5 organization — the Nashville Symphony Players’ Assembly (NSPA) — but the Assembly will not receive any funds from these efforts. Since the NSPA is a 501(c)5, unfortunately donations are not tax-deductible.

“The musicians are already facing hard choices when looking at their future,” said Brad Mansell, ICSOM Delegate and NSO cellist. “There is an unprecedented amount

“There is an unprecedented amount of financial uncertainty since the ability to return to work in a normal manner is simply not yet known. As the prospect of a long furlough looms large, we are calling on the generosity of the community to support us through this challenging time.” — Brad Mansell

of financial uncertainty since the ability to return to work in a normal manner is simply not yet known. As the prospect of a long furlough looms large, we are calling on the generosity of the community to support us through this challenging time.”

Donations can be made to the financial aid fund by going to www.musiciansofthenashvillesymphony.org. There will be links to the fund on the Musicians of the Nashville Symphony social media platforms. Also, checks can be made out to Nashville Symphony Players Assembly - Financial Aid Fund and mailed to Nashville Symphony Players Assembly; P.O. Box 40812; Nashville, TN 37204.

Another exciting announcement was made in September that gave symphony musicians their first live performing opportunity since the pandemic started. A new monthly concert series, made possible by St. George’s Episcopal Church, began Sept. 19. This new series, titled “Play On at St. George’s,” features MOTNS performing in chamber ensembles. St. George’s generously donated their space and streaming capabilities for the series, and we are grateful for their support. The events are livestreamed and subsequently available for streaming on St. George’s website. These concerts also function as a way to raise funds for the Financial Aid Fund. You can visit www.stgeorgesnashville.org/inexcelsis for more information.

Accelerando continues despite pandemic

The Musicians of the Nashville Symphony are pleased to be able to continue educational initiatives during our furlough as well. In August, AFM Local 257 on behalf of the musicians of the symphony, reached an agreement with the Nashville Symphony Association to continue the important work of the Accelerando program, which serves young musicians from underrepresented ethnicities. Despite the furlough, orchestra musicians will still be able to teach their students and mentor them along their musical journey. Ten new local students were accepted into the program this year, bringing the total enrollment for the first time to a full capacity of 24 students. A grant from the Mellon Foundation supports most of the funding for the program, and program partners Choral Arts Link and the Blair School of Music played a crucial role in ensuring Accelerando continues this year.

The Musicians of the Nashville Symphony are also maintaining their online presence, keeping the momentum going on social media with new videos and stories. In August, we held a virtual Bach festival, where many musicians submitted videos of pieces by the great composer. Selections ranged from solo repertoire to the first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, which concluded the festival. Our violinists began a similar festival in September dedicated to the works of Fritz Kreisler, with videos released weekly. There is much more content to explore, and you can find all our videos on our website, YouTube channel, and social media outlets.

We have also been keeping in contact with our colleagues in other orchestras around the country, and there have been some great dialogues and ideas about how to adapt to our new reality. In July, ICSOM held their annual conference online, and there were some fascinating sessions with lots of pertinent information. It was inspiring to hear from musicians in many other cities who are thinking creatively and finding a way to share music with their communities. We celebrate their successes and are eager to show that we, too, can keep the music playing in Music City. TNM

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band

Don Aliquo Here we are at the end of 2020, and musicians are still wondering when we will get back to why we got into this in the first place — live performing. While the COVID-19 pandemic affects us all, I venture to say that the jazz and blues musician is suffering even more than musicians in other styles. Well, you say, if jazz and blues isn't that popular why don't you just play something else? You might have asked Julia Child why she didn't just stay in the backyard and barbecue. I don't have to tell anyone reading this that music means more to the individual musician than how many records can be sold. Jazz and blues have been here a long time, from the Francis Craig Orchestra at the

Hermitage, to the jam sessions in Printer's

Alley with Boots, Floyd, and Gary Burton, to the Jefferson Street scene, to the annual jazz festivals of the 2000s. And after two jazz albums, who knows what Hank Garland would have done if not for the accident?

The scene keeps changing so fast, maybe by the time you read this, it will have changed for the better.

Schools

The Nashville Jazz Workshop, while still working on remodeling its new location, at press time planned to hold their annual fundraiser, Jazzmania 2020, virtually, on Oct. 24. This online jazz party will be an evening of streamed jazz performances celebrating NJW's 20th anniversary as a nonprofit. Donors who miss the streaming event will still be able to donate after the fact. For more information on how to support this great organization go to www.nashvillejazz.org.

Middle Tennessee State University has resumed classes, but there is no word on the fate of its Jazz Artist Series. However, there are some terrific faculty and student concerts scheduled for live streaming this fall. I particularly recommend saxophonist Don Aliquo, and the MTSU Salsa Band. Go to www.mtsu.edu/music/calendar.php.

Local venues

Rudy's Jazz Room has reduced its streamed video performances to two nights a week, Friday and Saturdays 7-8 p.m. Their website has a gig calendar, but no longer says anything about their menu being available for takeout. They are still asking for donations to keep going. Go to www.rudysjazzroom.com. B. B. King's downtown is open for business with music every night, but the online calendar only lists three different bands for the current month, and nothing beyond that. For more info check out www.bbkings.com.

City Winery seems to have its act together, currently operating under the city's COVID-19 regulations, with a complete list of new dates for postponed shows. The calendar is spotty and there's no jazz or blues for the rest of the year. But, dig this: Virtuoso guitarist (and about 10 other instruments) John Jorgenson has put his hot Django- style quintet aside for a while to do bluegrass with the John Jorgenson Blue-

BY AUSTIN BEALMEAR

Music means more to the individual musician than how many records can be sold.

grass Band (aka J2B2). If they attack bluegrass the same way his quintet attacked jazz, it should be something you shouldn't miss. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.

Marketing bands

Bands are increasing their use of the Internet for promotion. Besides an artist's own website, Facebook, Twitter, etc. there are websites set up as marketplaces where musicians can post themselves as a solo, a band, whatever, with a video clip, commentary, anything you want to include. Local 257 musicians can build profile pages for themselves and additional profile pages for side projects groups at www.nashvillemusicians.org. There is also www.gigsalad.com/ Music-Groups/Jazz-Band/TN/Nashville, which seems to be mostly younger bands — except for vets like Jerry Tachoir and Denny Jiosa. There's a gallery of video clips, and most bands offer virtual performances to clients.

Similar is www.thebash.com/search/jazzmusic-nashville-tn, which was formerly called Gigmasters. There is a gallery of bands and individual jazz and blues musicians. It shows which ones offer virtual performances, and there is a self-listing link. And finally, Robert's Western World and Third Man Records are offering their stages to bands wanting to record videos for streaming.

See you in the Zoom room. TNM