Short Stories - 2 new recordings by David Lopato

This project, entitled Short Stories, involves the completion and release of two recordings, one this June and the other early next spring. My last recording, the double CD "Gendhing for a Spirit Rising", focused on original compositions influenced by Asian musics, primarily Indonesian Gamelan. Downbeat Magazine gave it 4 1/2 stars (out of 5) and described it as "unlike anything you'll hear this year (or any year)". This project is stylistically closer to home but no less adventurous. It will feature an extremely eclectic collection of 16-18 pieces primarily in the jazz and modern jazz traditions, but also with world music influences (African, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban) spanning 4 decades of writing, plus one Wayne Shorter composition (the only instance of my recording a piece penned by someone else!). The performers will include my quintet of several years: Lucas Pino on saxophones, clarinet and bass clarinet, Ed Neumeister on trombone, Ratzo Harris on bass and electric bass, and Michael Sarin on trapset. Augmenting the quintet are the extraordinary vocalist Anson Jones and three of New York City's greatest percussionists: Rogerio Boccato, Keita Ogawa and Bobby Sanabria.

I will be manufacturing 500 CDs (x2) and making downloads available through avenues such as Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, etc., as well as streaming them on all the major platforms.

Completing the project will entail:

rehearsing and recording 5-7 additional compositions

mixing and mastering the tracks

producing 2 CDs x 2, including layout design, photography, publishing and pressing.

securing promotion for radio and magazine publicity for the recording

releasing the recording on all the major digital platforms, Bandcamp, etc.

The approximate budget for the two recordings is as follows:

studio recording, mixing and mastering fees: $6500

musicians' fees: $15,500

production costs: $3500

promotion: $3500

Crowdfunding costs, including fees and donor rewards: $1000

TOTAL: $30,000

Funding Statement

As far as recordings that I've done go, this is a very expensive project! I am prepared to personally underwrite half of the $30,000 budget myself. What is needed is your financial support to cover the remaining costs. Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated. I have a limited window to raise the remaining $15,000….so if you're thinking you'll probably donate at some point, please consider taking care of it today! If you are moved by the music you've heard here, please SHARE my campaign through social media, email and even good old-fashioned word of mouth! That will go a long way toward helping me achieve my goal.

Risks and Challenges

Completion of the project will not be hindered at all by the need to finish other outstanding projects. I have no other crowd-funding campaigns at present and of all the current musical projects, this one is the top priority. The main challenge is promoting it. There is no shortage of new releases of music these days, whether they be exclusively digital, physical CD, vinyl or any combination thereof. Unlike my last recording, in which all of the tracks were too long to receive any significant airplay, most of these tracks are well within the appropriate length for that and I am investing a portion of the budget in promotion toward that end.

Donation Rewards:

Level 1 $20

updates on the project plus pre-release download of the recording

Level 2 $30 or more

Above reward plus signed physical CD mailed to you or whomever you choose. (A $15 fee must be added for international shipping)

Level 3 $50 or more

Above rewards plus any 3 digital scores of compositions from the recording

Level 4 $100 or more

Above rewards plus any of the digital scores of compositions from the recording

Level 5 $150 or more

Above rewards plus 2 tickets to a single performance of David Lopato in 2023

Level 6 $250 or more

Above rewards plus complete discography in mp3 format of David Lopato recordings as a leader

Level 7 $400 or more

Above rewards plus 1 hr. music lesson (piano, composition, improvisation) in my studio in Bearsville, NY or via Zoom.

Level 8 $500 or more

Above rewards plus special mention in CD credits (if donation occurs after 5/1/23, it will occur in the second recording)

Level 9 $1000 or more

Above rewards plus solo piano concert at a private venue you arrange for. (Must be within 250 miles of Woodstock, NY and you must provide an in-tune grand piano). Delivery date is open-ended for performance.

Level 10 $2000 or more

Above rewards except substitute live trio concert for solo concert and within 150 miles of Woodstock, NY.

Top Shelf $4000

Open to two donors only. Above rewards plus Executive Producer credit on recording