Tell us about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?
I was born and raised in New York City, and have lived in the Valley since 1980. I am a music lover who has produced over 300 jazz concerts in the Pioneer Valley for the UMass Fine Arts Center (Magic Triangle Jazz Series, Solos & Duos Series, Bright Moments Festival), the Northampton Center for the Arts (A World of Piano) and Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares, a shareholder-based non-profit. For almost 30 years, I produced radio on WMUA-FM, where I served as General Manager. I write about the concerts I produce at ,https://blogs.umass.edu/gsiegel/
Why did you decide to become an artist?
Well, I do not consider myself an artist, per se. I’m an enabler of artists. I have used my creativity to produce the world’s most accomplished musicians on shoestring budgets. I have always felt music intensely. I remember feeling thrills in my stomach listening to symphonic orchestras on school trips. As a young man, I remember listening to Charles Mingus and deciding that whatever else I did with my life, I wanted to be close to music. I fully embrace Albert Ayler’s dictum that “music is the healing force of the universe.” Sharing music is my way of repairing the world.
Tell us about some projects you have worked on. Which one was your favorite and why?
Producing Reggie Workman’s 25-piece orchestra and choir performing Coltrane’s “Africa Brass” in 1999 was a thrill, and seeing Joe Fonda incorporate a tap dancer and a sound healer into his band was certainly unique, but really every time I produce one of my heroes, I’m thrilled. The opportunity to work with Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Lester Bowie, Randy Weston, Bobby Bradford, William Parker and dozens of other masters, is a dream come true. I also enjoy turning local audiences onto young and under appreciated artists. I always say my favorite project is the next one.
What are you currently working on?
Although I recently retired from UMass, I’m producing one more year of the Magic Triangle Series for the Fine Arts Center. I am organizing an online project this fall to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Yusef Lateef, featuring movies, photographs, scholarly papers, art work, testimonials, live music and readings of his creative writing. Jazz Shares is producing a live backyard concert featuring the extraordinary percussionist Ra Kalam Bob Moses. Since the pandemic, I have been producing hour-long music podcasts using my personal library (soundcloud.com/jazzinsilhouette.) Oh, and I’m getting married to Priscilla Page in October!
What superpower would you have and why?
My super power would be to produce money legally in unlimited quantities. I have spent my career making due with puny budgets. If I had limitless money, or even the budget of a Lincoln Center or a Walker Arts Center, I would blow people’s minds. And I would be able to pay artists fees commensurate with their talent.