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BJ Jansen

B.J. Jansen, born January 3rd 1981 in Cincinnati, has established himself as a charismatic and dynamic performer, composer, bandleader and educator on and off the stage. B.J.’s journey in music began at age 10 when his father bought him an Alto Saxophone and gave him recordings of Gerry Mulligan and Charlie Parker. He later found his true voice on the Baritone Saxophone while performing in various college ensembles. His musical journey took him from the Midwest to the East Coast when he relocated to Philadelphia in 2004. It was in Philadelphia that he found the, “heart beat”, of Jazz. He spent three years learning on the streets of Philadelphia before relocating yet again to New York City in 2007. In New York City, B.J. has had the opportunity to learn from and perform with some of the greatest living musicians today. He continues to forge his own artistic path on the hallowed grounds of Jazz in New York. He has recorded multiple albums as a leader and led ensembles in many of the most respected Jazz venues in the City. The life-long study of Music has taught B.J. many lessons about art and life. Realizing the importance of giving back, B.J. hopes to continue to form alliances to improve the lives of people through music. B.J. holds an MBA in Music Management from the William Paterson University of New Jersey and a BA in Jazz Studies from the University of Louisville, School of Music. In February of 2010, B.J. joined the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) label. As of 2012, B.J. Jansen also became an Endorsing Artist for Yanagisawa Saxophones of Japan and Harry Hartmann’s Fiberreed of Germany.

Gear

B.J. Jansen is a Yanagisawa Japan/Conn-Selmer USA, EGR Ligature and Fiberreed of Germany artist. B.J. Jansen plays the B-991 and B-9930 Exclusively. B.J. Plays the Carbon Fiberreed and EGR Ligature.


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9
Album Review

B.J. Jansen: Common Ground

Read "Common Ground" reviewed by Matthew Aquiline


Cincinnati-born baritone saxophonist B.J. Jansen's tenth album is titled Common Ground for good reason: his sextet consists of NEA Jazz Master trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, drummer Ralph Peterson, trumpeter Duane Eubanks, pianist Zaccai Curtis, and bassist Dezron Douglas--all of whom revel in improvisation. His group's shared affinity for jazz in the straight-ahead vein compelled Jansen to employ a “hands-off" tactic as leader, prompting the end product's great diversity of playing and style. The album has its post- bop pieces, hard bop ...

6
Album Review

B.J. Jansen: Ronin

Read "Ronin" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Baritone saxophonist B.J. Jansen demonstrates his versatility as a composer and performer on Ronin, his third release as a leader. The nine originals that comprise the album cover a gamut of styles while remaining firmly in the jazz mainstream. On the boppish “Manhattan Trane'in" for instance Jansen wields his horn with agility as he intricately embellishes the melody and deftly navigates its harmonic structure. “Diamonds for Lil," meanwhile, showcases his subtle and emotive balladry as his thick smooth ...

798
In The Biz

The New Artist Development Model: Growing your Brand from the Ground Up

Read "The New Artist Development Model: Growing your Brand from the Ground Up" reviewed by B.J. Jansen


So you are a jazz musician trying to navigate the complex path to build yourself into a sustainable brand? Where do I begin? What are the steps in the New Industry Model? How can I move forward? How can I survive? How can I cut through the clutter? These are all common questions I get constantly from artists and industry veterans alike, who are just overwhelmed by this new environment. So, it is from ...

696
In The Biz

The Future Record Label Model = Brand Marketing Collective

Read "The Future Record Label Model = Brand Marketing Collective" reviewed by B.J. Jansen


Several months ago Michael Ricci approached me with the idea of starting a column dealing with the business of jazz. During our subsequent conversations we both agreed that jazz musicians needed more tools, more ideas and more education on how to successfully monetize their music and strengthen the jazz scene as a whole. Given my formal educational background (recently completing an MBA), business knowledge (forming Pitch Artist Services) and experience, (over a decade as an actual performing jazz artist and ...

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12

Crowdfunding Campaign

B.J. Jansen, Ralph Peterson Jr., Delfeayo Marsalis & Duane Eubanks To Make A Record

B.J. Jansen, Ralph Peterson Jr., Delfeayo Marsalis & Duane Eubanks To Make A Record

Source: Kari-On Productions

BJ Jansen has launched an IndieGoGo Crowdsourcing Campaign for his 10th recording project as a leader with a planned release in the Spring of 2017. The recording will feature all original compositions and arrangements. He will be joined on the recording project by: Delfeayo Marsalis- trombone Ralph Peterson – drums Duane Eubanks – trumpet Zaccai Curtis – piano Dezron Douglas – bass Back This Project Praise for B. J. Jansen “A rising ...

3

Career

Why Branding Is More Important Than Ever

Why Branding Is More Important Than Ever

Source: Michael Ricci

By B.J. Jansen Branding, is now more than ever, the most important investment an Artist can make towards their own career success. Today is one of the greatest times to be in the music industry. We have more educational, technological, and musical content and freedom available on a daily basis than at any previous point in history. However, since we have more access, it becomes evident that developing a strong brand is more important to be ...

3

Career

Three Simple Rules of 21st Century Business on the Web

Three Simple Rules of 21st Century Business on the Web

Source: Michael Ricci

By B.J. Jansen After much consternation and thought about the impact that piracy and the web have brought into the world of intellectual property, I've identified three simple constants. I'm sure my observations may draw criticism, however I feel that the best way to navigate today's internet webscape is to control what you can control. As such I've come up with the following: 1. Information is FREE Internet and technology have created an environment where there are no secrets anymore. ...

2

Contest

Enter the "B.J. Jansen - Ronin" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Enter the "B.J. Jansen - Ronin" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Artists Recording Collective “B.J. Jansen - Ronin“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on March 1st. Click here to enter the contest (Becoming a fan of B.J. Jansen at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at Artists Recording Collective About B.J. Jansen B.J. Jansen, born January 3rd 1981 in Cincinnati (now residing in New York City), ...

2

Interview

Baritone Saxophone Artist, B.J. Jansen Interviewed On WHCR 90.3FM "The Voice Of Harlem"

Baritone Saxophone Artist, B.J. Jansen Interviewed On WHCR 90.3FM "The Voice Of Harlem"

Source: JM Creative

Baritone Saxophone Artist, B.J. Jansen was interviewed on WHCR 90.3FM “The Voice of Harlem", January 5th, 2014 by Lamon Fenner on Lamon's Jazz Break @ 8. Jansen discusses his first new release in nearly two years, a new quartet album entitled, RONIN. He talks with Lamon about the deeper and more philosophical aspects of his new release, Ronin. “The plight of the Ronin draws many similarities to what I have observed with those of us who adopt the way, or ...

3

Recording

Baritone Saxophonist, B.J. Jansen Releases, "Ronin, The Masterless Samurai"

Baritone Saxophonist, B.J. Jansen Releases, "Ronin, The Masterless Samurai"

Source: JM Creative

His first new release in nearly two years, B.J. Jansen returns with a new quartet album Ronin. Ronin hits the streets March 4th, 2014 and features; Mamiko Watanabe on piano, Mike Boone on bass, Amanda Ruzza on bass, Chris Beck on drums and Dorota Piotrowska on drums. During the feudal period in Japan (1185-1868), a Ronin was a samurai (knight) with no lord or master. A samurai could become masterless from the death or political fall of his master, or ...

Career

B.j. Jansen Becomes An Official Endorsing Artist For Yanagisawa (Conn-DSelmer Inc.)

B.j. Jansen Becomes An Official Endorsing Artist For Yanagisawa (Conn-DSelmer Inc.)

Source: JM Creative

Baritone Saxophone Artist, B.J. Jansen, has just become an official endorsing artist and clinician for Yanagisawa Saxophones of Japan. With a heritage of instrument-making in Japan that traces back to 1893, Yanagisawa is recognized today as a maker of the most carefully handcrafted family of artist-level saxophones in the world. In models ranging from sopranino to baritone, these superb instruments have won the praise of many celebrated musicians worldwide. Conn-Selmer, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and distributor of band and ...

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Recording

B.J. Jansen and T.C. The 3rd to Release New Album on ARC

B.J. Jansen and T.C. The 3rd to Release New Album on ARC

Source: JM Creative

B.J. Jansen and T.C. the 3rd have collaborated on a new album featuring the Uptown Jazz Collective on Artists Recording Collective. The new release, She Do What She Do (ARC-2260), features original compositions, standards as well as spoken word performances. Jansen and T.C. have dedicated She Do What She Do to the memories of Trudy Pitts (T.C.'s late Mother), Sid Simmons, Andy McCloud, Charles Fambrough, James Moody, Abbey Lincoln and Dr. Billy Taylor. The album features the musicianship of T.C. ...

501

198

Music Industry

B.J. Jansen on Helping Artists Help Themselves

B.J. Jansen on Helping Artists Help Themselves

Source: We All Make Music

B.J. Jansen accepts and welcomes the changes faced by the music industry. Rather than look at them as catastrophic, Jansen sees them as “kind of a revitalization." “Everyone should stop complaining and try to become master of their own destiny!" Music business acolytes say that kind of thing all the time, but Jansen, who has over a decade of experience as a baritone saxophonist, bandleader, producer, composer, arranger, and independent record label owner, has had first-hand experience in nearly all ...

"Rising Jazz Star"
—Andy Hardy, Jazz Host on George Jazz FM, New Zealand

"Up-And-Coming and Soon-To-Be, Jazz Legend"
—Al Lubiejewski, JAZZ HOST on WQLN 91.3 FM

"A Soldier for Jazz."
—Ty Bailey, WVST

"B. J. Jansen and his articulate baritone sax leads his group Conjura into some immaculate ensemble and solo playing. On Movement Vol. 1, there are all original cuts either written by B.J or Frank Stagnitta, Piano. There is no compromising here just straight ahead Jazz... B.J., originally from Cincinnati now living in the NY area is knowledgeable, bold, aggressive, and determined to make great jazz music and jazz happenings

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Common Ground

Ronin Jazz
2017

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Ronin

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2014

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She Do What She Do

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2011

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B.J. Jansen & CONJURA...

JansenMusic Records, LLC
0

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B.J. Jansen & Frank...

JansenMusic Records, LLC
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Bright Future

JansenMusic Records, LLC
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Ronin

From: Ronin
By BJ Jansen

Relaxin' With Jessica

From: B.J. Jansen & CONJURA -...
By BJ Jansen

A Rose For Noriko

From: Bright Future
By BJ Jansen

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