I?m a double bass player turned music consultant, artist manager and concert producer, writes Tom Croxon.
I played for several London orchestras and did sessions for pop musicians, but never had much of an interest in jazz. Now I find myself representing and promoting some of the country?s most exciting jazz musicians and singers, as well as classical pianists, violinists and conductors.
It?s odd how things come about. Finding new artists to represent has never followed a set pattern. Sometimes I?ve admired an artist and have heard that they?re looking for a new agent. Other times I?ve seen an artist in concert, a new talent, and have offered myself as their agent. Quite often other musicians recommend an artist to me. That?s what happened with Claire Martin about a year ago. I already worked with the John Wilson Orchestra, a jazz orchestra. They needed a singer and booked Claire to sing with them in a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. I attended the rehearsals and was astounded at her talent. Soon after that she confided in me that she was looking for a new manager and she asked me if I would like to represent her ? you could say it was a mutual meeting of minds. I?ve always loved listening to vocalists, and Claire Martin is a world-class singer. She recently did ten nights at Ronnie Scott?s in London and I was there every night. I?m a true jazz enthusiast now. With all my artists I?m constantly on the lookout for new ways to promote them, new creative concepts to develop their talent, to bring them to people?s notice. I use the print media a lot, I?ve worked with broadsheets and magazines, and I use radio and TV as much as I can too. Fashion is my favourite. Just recently Claire Martin has done a photo shoot for the Sunday Times Style Magazine, modelling clothes by John Galliano. And for OK Magazine she did a shoot in the Trois Garçons restaurant in Bethnal Green. The restaurant is weird ? stuffed animals everywhere ? a very bizarre setting, but just perfect for a photo shoot. I also get to work with some excellent stylists and photographers.
I?m also influenced by art, by theatre, by programmes I see on the TV, by events or people on the street. They all help me come up with new ideas. I can only use conventional paths so much of the time; the rest I?m working on new ideas and new angles for promoting my list of artists. Some of the work of an artist manager is more mundane, but there?s computer software to help reduce some of the tedium. We?ve got a database of promoters and festivals worldwide, and at the touch of a few buttons we can announce a new tour, a new album or a new talent.
Tom Croxon runs an artist management and music production agency, Tom Croxon Management Ltd. t: 020 8279 2516 e: tom@tomcroxonmanagement.co.uk w: http://www.tomcroxonmanagement.co.uk