As the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold on American society, musicians were suddenly contending with the immediate and complete loss of a major source of their income, the gig. It’s a dire picture for many of them, leading for pleas to go full circle in the way we support them, by buying their recorded music.
At least one accomplished musician is telling us that it’s not all that dire, though, as there are many rays of sunshine piercing through those dark clouds. Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, composer and bandleader Daniel Bennett has quickly adapted to the new dynamic, kept his head up and has been actively encouraging others to do the same.
In this extensive video interview above with Andrei Cherascu of The Music & Myth, Bennett urges us to “take a look around us, what do we have? We have technology, the internet.” A self-described “problem solver,” he swiftly moved his operations online when the outside world shut down. Teaching music at Bloomingdale School of Music and New York jazz Academy, Bennett now conducts his classes to students all around the world through video streaming.
Where others might see dead ends, Bennett finds opportunities. He sees the sudden, involuntary sabbatical as prime woodshedding time: “The ability to be strong as an artists is only going to help you (when you reach) the other side.” He advised a student, “You’re playing music to prepare when this thing is over,” a way to get ahead for the brighter days to come while waiting out the dark time. Social networking, keeping in touch with people — as for in any profession — is also important to do during this time. Using all the non-physical contact tools that telecom and the internet makes available to us, of course.
Many musicians are already finding ways to leverage technology to get their creativity seen. “Artists are posting videos (on Instagram),” and he finds that very inspiring. “If you get online, it’s wild, the amount of people sharing ideas, it’s great.”
As a big believer in the power of positive thinking, Bennett tells us that “the ability of a society to stay calm, there’s so much power in that and artists need to lead the way” because of their role in soothing people and making them feel happy. He allows that in times like the current one it’s not easy, but they still need to put on a happy face because eventually we will get out of this.
“Everyone is going to come back with a huge appreciation for life, community, for joy…,” he says. “Look for the miracles, the blessings, they’re everywhere.”
In the end, Daniel Bennett is an optimist, because he believes there’s no other path that works: “We have no choice but to be positive.”
Read Part 2, where Bennett sketches out his vision for a post-pandemic world for musicians and why “a cultural renaissance is just beginning.”
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