The Working Artist Project

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to rapper Dear Silas about his career and hip hop.

Dear Silas is a singer, rapper, and trumpeter from Jackson, Mississippi. He has been co-signed by the likes of Missy Elliott, T-Pain, and many more. An unorthodox delivery has helped Dear Silas to birth viral records one after another. He recently charted on billboard alongside Cookiee Kawaii on ne...

Gerald T. Watkins Jr is a drummer/percussionist originally from Norfolk, Va and is now residing in New Orleans, LA. He has degrees in music from both Norfolk State University (B.S) and Florida State University (M.M). He performs locally with many of the areas finest musicians and also tours abroad. He has performed with members of Marsalis family (Ellis, Delfeayo, and Jason), The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eri...

Russell Kranes is the consummate professional musician. Born in Queens and raised in Connecticut, Russell studied jazz piano under the late, great master, Geri Allen. Upon graduating college, Russell worked in pastry arts for two years before ultimately deciding to tenaciously pursue music. He moved to NYC in June of 2013 and began performing immediately. Nine years later, Russell currently works seven days per week as a ballet acc...

Meet Juan Tigre, the bilingual alt-rock alter-ego of guitarist/vocalist John Maestas. Inspired by the iconic high desert imagery of New Mexico and imbued with the expansive folklore of the southwest. Psychedelic distorted guitars float over a video game sound palette with rhythms & melodies that draw upon influences from J Dilla, Jimi Hendrix, Pixies and Thundercat. Based in New Orleans, Maestas has become well known locally fo...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to master percussionist Kofi Hunter about working with folks like Robert Glasper and creating Righteous Rebel Education.

Art can transform lives. As an in-demand multi-percussionist Kofi has been given the opportunity to support some of the biggest names in music, from The Robert Glasper Experiment Saxophonist Casey Benjamin to Hip Hop Superstar Go...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Amina Scott.

Amina Scott, born and raised in Oakland, CA, is an upright and electric bassist, composer, and arranger. Her interest in music began at an early age when her grandmother began giving her piano lessons. From then, her love and passion for music has yet to cease, playing electric bass at the age of twelve and was soon playing gigs wit...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Ricio Fruge

Ricio is a fiercely soulful and versatile musician from Jacksonville, FL based in New Orleans. Currently performing with Karl Denson and the Tiny Universe, John Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Soul Brass Band.

A graduate of Michigan State University(M.M.), Florida State University(BA) and Doug...

Svetlana is a New York-based acclaimed chart-topping vocalist, composer, band leader, educator, and a Manhattan School of Music MA and Columbia PhD graduate. She is on a mission to uplift, connect, and spread the joy of music. Svetlana is a recipient of a grant from Jazz Road/South Arts and Chamber Music America Digital Residency Grant funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Andrew Mellon Foundation. She is a Finalist of...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Jocelyn Gould about her career, and touring in a post covid world.

Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her joyful energy has captivated audiences around the world and her passion for music is infectious. She has absorbed the influences of th...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Curtis Nowosad about his career, "jazz fame" and immigration.

100 years after the Harlem Renaissance shook the world, there’s a whole new cultural and spiritual awakening in that corner of the jazz world. A key player in galvanizing this fresh and dynamic sense of cultural awareness, drummer/composer Curtis Nowosad has been a major force...

Hailed by the New York Times as “a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and harddriving style,” JD Allen is a bright light on today’s international jazz scene. His unique and compelling voice on the instrument – the result of a patient and painstaking confrontation with the fundamentals of the art – has earned Allen years of critical attention signaling his ascension to the upper ranks of the contemporary jazz world.

Origina...

Courtney Bryan, a native of New Orleans, La, is “a pianist and composer of panoramic interests” (New York Times). Her music is in conversation with various musical genres, including jazz and other types of experimental music, as well as traditional gospel, spirituals, and hymns. Focusing on bridging the sacred and the secular, Bryan's compositions explore human emotions through sound, confronting the challenge of notating the f...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Joshua Gouzy about his booking agency Magnolia Music and growing as a musician, producer, and writer.

A New Orleans native, Joshua Gouzy was raised in a family with four generations of musical heritage. He has played a variety of instruments throughout his life and cultivated his early musical skills while playing "by ear" in his church ...

In this episode of The Working Artist Project, Darrian Douglas and Gregory Agid talk to Creative Director/Illustrator Darren McMillan about his creative process when working in and outside of corporate America.

Darren McMillan is an accomplished multi-media artist. He enjoys using his skills to contribute to enriching lives through advertising. He is a traditionally trained illustrator and designer with over 30 years of experience. ...

Vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator Nikara Warren is a true Brooklynite. Born and bred in the eclectic and electric enclave, her family, her friends, her band, and her musical pedigree is a microcosm of the county at large. Her grandfather is a world-renowned jazz pianist Kenny Barron, and she’s the daughter of a half Trinidadian soca/dancehall lover father, and a classic 1990s “Brooklyn ‘Round the Way” girl mother. Nika...

Benjamin Kahn and Tom Mayer co-host the podcast Blind Duet. On each episode, two featured artists are challenged to write and record an original piece of music together in just two weeks. The catch is that they have no idea who their partner will be until their first joint interview. Blind Duet digs into discussions of creativity, collaboration, and songwriting. Of course, we feature the music made by each pair as well. The musicia...