Music Marketing - Classical VS Jazz

It’s interesting to look at how musicians market themselves these days. Some of it looks great, and some of it just doesn’t do it for me! I love classical music but tend to find their marketing is (sometimes) quite pretentious. Just so you know what ‘pretentious’ means:

adjective
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
For example, take a look at this photo of a string quartet that performed for the recent Perth Arts Festival:

I hate these kind of photos. Look at the expressions on their faces and body language. They’re basically saying....."yeah. We’re f***ing good string players. Don’t mess with us. We got more string than you got bling"

Maybe not the last part. But you know what I mean? Like they’ve got something to prove. “We’re classical music bad-ass.”  Pfff.

Contrast that with the photo below of another artist who performed at the Perth Arts Festival, jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri:

 

Now we’re talking! This guy’s photo basically says: 

“Hey, we’re gonna play some jazz and have a great time. Come and join us.” It looks fun, casual yet still sophisticated, inviting and full of character.

I’d attend Eddie’s gig. I’ll pass on the other one.