Panorama Jazz Band Subscription Program

[jeffcrom]

One of my favorite New Orleans band, the Panorama Jazz Band, is taking a new approach to releasing their music. Clarinetist Ben Schenck, the leader of the band, told me during my New Orleans visit last month that, after four albums (and one by the mighty Panorama Brass Band), he doesn't plan to release any more physical CDs. The band has started a subscription program through Bandcamp - they release one track a month, and the download link shows up in your e-mailbox. The first (ridiculously cheap) subscription fee entitles you to the 19 digital tracks they have released so far, then you get a track each month going forward.

The Panorama Jazz Band plays traditional jazz, klezmer, Caribbean music, and Balkan tunes, all with a New Orleans flavor. The personnel varies from track to track, but my favorite New Orleans saxophonist, Aurora Nealand, is on many of the tracks, as is The Best Tuba Player On The Planet, Matt Perrine. Ben is a friend, but I'm posting this because of the quality of the music - and because this is an interesting 21st century distribution model. I'm curious to see whether it turns out to be a viable thing.

Edited November 28, 2015 by jeffcrom