NOLA MusiCon

Meet NOLA MusiCon speakers Justin LaMotte and Gregory Agid! Justin LaMotte is the Co-Founder & CEO of Black Wax – a modern record label and artist management company focused on protecting Black creatives, their art, and overall livelihood. Black Wax has grown into a full-service company that deeply cares about and nurtures the artists it works with. LaMotte is an advocate for financial literacy for artists and has built the company to offer fair and transparent deals. Their current roster includes R&B duo THEY, singer/songwriter PHABO, Def Jam Recordings’ Felix Ames, among others across genres such as Caribbean, Afrobeats and Global music. LaMotte discovered and managed R&B superstar Ari Lennox and together they achieved great success, including signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville in 2016. LaMotte worked on all things related to A&R, touring, brand partnerships, and development for Lennox. Since then, he has been a part of projects with billions of streams, 18 RIAA certifications, and partnerships with major brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola and Levis, among others. Gregory Agid is emerging as the preeminent jazz clarinetist of his generation. The New Orleans based multi-instrumentalist maintains an extremely active performance schedule playing both clarinet and saxophone with GRAMMY award-winning artist Michael Buble, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and his own Gregory Agid Quartet, with whom he has released three albums to date. As the protégée of clarinet guru Alvin Batiste, it is only natural that Agid has found great success and fulfillment as an educator. Alongside drummer Darrian Douglas, Agid is the co-founder of Second Line Arts Collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating the artistic and entrepreneurial growth of aspiring creatives. It is no surprise that aspiring clarinetists also look to Agid; his strong social media presence marks him as a leader in the worldwide clarinet community. Ready to hear from the best? Join us at NOLA Musicon October 28-30 to see Justin, Gregory and many more amazing speakers - register now!  https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

Meet NOLA MusiCon speakers McKenzii Webster and Ashley Shabankareh, CDE®! Memphis native McKenzii Webster is a multifaceted music industry professional. As the Musician & Artist Services Manager at Crosstown Arts, she provides essential resources to the Memphis music creative community, including music publishing administration, healthcare support, and sync licensing via Crosstown Sync. Beyond her role at Crosstown Arts, she is the founder of TheWeb MGMT. Leveraging her passion for music and strategic thinking, McKenzii helps creatives enhance their online presence and build sustainable audiences. She is a producer for the acclaimed docu-series, AMERI'KANA TV, and currently manages a roster of talented artists, including Spree Wilson, Daz Rinko, and TANGELA. McKenzii is a graduate of Wesleyan University, and currently serves on the Music Export Memphis Artist Advisory Council and became a member of the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy in 2022. Ashley Shabankareh (she/they) is a New Orleans musician, music educator, and arts administrator. Ashley received her M.M. and B.M.E. from Loyola University, New Orleans, and spent her early years in New Orleans teaching PK4 through 8th grade students. They transitioned from full-time music instruction to assist in the creation of the curriculum and program guidelines for the Tulane University Music Rising Program. Ashley previously served as the Director of Programs for Preservation Hall Foundation for 13 years, and is currently the Director of Operations and Programs for the Trombone Shorty Foundation. In addition, Ashley is an Adjunct Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy at Loyola University, New Orleans, an Adjunct Professor of Music Education and Low Brass at Xavier University, and an Adjunct Professor of Creative Industries at Tulane University. Ashley serves as the Board President for Folk Alliance International, Vice President for the Jazz Education Network, Chapter Governor for the Recording Academy Memphis Chapter, and Board Secretary for Second Line Arts Collective. Ready to hear from the best? Join us at NOLA Musicon October 28-30 to see McKenzii, Ashley, and more amazing speakers - register now! https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

Meet NOLA MusiCon speakers Rachael Bronstein, AFC® and Randall Foster! Rachael Bronstein is the Founder of Life's Jam, a company committed to helping the music community get financially organized. Over the past three years, Rachael has significantly impacted the music industry, working closely with tours & organizations and offering private coaching sessions. She has hosted workshops for MusiCares, Music Forward Foundation, Country Music Association, Touring Career Workshop, and Women in Music. In 2024, Rachael began writing a monthly financial wellness column for Projection, Lights, & Staging News (PLSN) magazine.  Rachael holds a finance degree from Boston University's School of Business. As an Accredited Financial Counselor certified by the AFCPE (Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education), she continues to dedicate her expertise to the music community. Randall Foster is the Chief Creative Officer and General Manager of Symphonic Distribution's Nashville office, which he established in 2019. Under his leadership, the Symphonic Nashville team has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its departments in client marketing, streaming promotions, YouTube/user-generated content monetization, and publishing/publishing administration/business affairs.  Randall's primary objectives include A&R, content acquisitions and distribution deals, forming strategic partnerships, overseeing rights management at Symphonic, and fostering creative growth in Symphonic Music Publishing. Randall holds a Master's Degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries from the University of Miami. He is an active member of esteemed music organizations such as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMYs), where he serves as a voting member, and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), where he chairs the Nashville Chapter. Ready to hear from the best? Join us at NOLA Musicon October 28-30 to see Rachael, Randall and many more amazing speakers - register now! https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

Meet NOLA MusiCon speakers Ari Herstand and DARIUS DEEZLE HARRISON! Ari Herstand is the CEO and founder of the music business education company Ari’s Take and its online school Ari’s Take Academy as well as the host of the Webby Award winning New Music Business podcast. He is the author of the book How To Make It in the New Music Business which is a #1 best seller in 3 categories on Amazon and is being taught in over 300 universities in the US and has been translated into multiple languages. As a musician he has played over 1,000 shows all over the world and has released 4 albums. As an actor he has appeared on various TV shows like Transparent, Mad Men and 2 Broke Girls. As a speaker he has spoken at SXSW, BBC One Introducing, NAMM, SF MusicTech, Berklee College of Music and UCLA. He fronts the 1970s original funk/soul immersive concert theatrical experience, Brassroots District. Darius "Deezle" Harrison is an American record producer and songwriter. He is known for his work in the music industry, particularly in the genres of hip-hop, pop, and R&B. Deezle has collaborated with several notable artists, including Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Nelly, among others. His contributions to the music world have earned him three Grammys in addition to recognition and respect within the music industry. Ready to hear from the best? Join us at NOLA Musicon October 28-30 to see Ari, Deezle and many more amazing speakers - register now!  https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

We are thrilled to have Greater New Orleans, Inc. – GNO, Inc. as a NOLA MusiCon 2024 partner!  From its roots in trade and industry, the Greater New Orleans region has blossomed into one of the fastest growing technology hubs in the country. The team at Greater New Orleans, Inc. supports companies that want to take advantage of low business costs and generous incentives, and to assist existing companies with growth strategies. GNO, Inc. is on a mission to create a region with a thriving economy and an excellent quality of life, for everyone. #NOLAMusiCon #NewOrleans #gnoinc

🔥Early Bird Registration rate extended through August 4th! Get yours now!🔥 Register now! https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

Make meaningful connections, exchange ideas, and stay updated on music industry trends at NOLA MusiCon! Learn from industry experts, expand your network, and gain fresh insights. Join us October 28-30 in New Orleans! Register now! https://bit.ly/4diuVAL

Are you interested in speaking at NOLA MusiCon? Do you have an idea for a session? Let us know! For more info, email us at programming@nolamusicon.com #nolamusicon #nolamusicon2024

We want to shout out our awesome partner, the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund! NOTCF’s mission is to support cultural industries and culture bearers of the City of New Orleans through partnerships, grants, and programs to advance sustainable tourism. NOTCF is dedicated to strengthening New Orleans culture-bearers with resources that uplift the city’s traditions and aid the evolution of skills, knowledge, and ideas into goods, services, and places that support our local cultural economy and tourism offerings. Thank you NOTCF for the amazing things you do in the community and for supporting NOLA MusiCon!

While we’re talking about organizations that helped to make NOLA MusiCon possible, we can’t say enough about the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund. Their grant program has allowed us to open our doors to parts of the New Orleans music community that might not have been able to participate without the generous support of the NOTCF. The mission of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund is to support cultural industries and culture bearers of the City of New Orleans through partnerships, grants, and programs to advance sustainable tourism. Their non-profit economic development corporation is dedicated to strengthening New Orleans culture-bearers with resources that uplift the city’s traditions and aid the evolution of skills, knowledge, and ideas into goods, services, and places that support our local cultural economy and tourism offerings.