In addition to being a touring musician and music professor, Theron Brown is the visionary and founder of Akron, OH’s Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival. Theron is a driving force on the arts scene in Northeast Ohio and in episode 16 we talk about how he’s been able to go from gigging musician to actor, playing Herbie Hancock in “Miles Ahead” directed by Don Cheadle, to music festival producer, and more recently to becoming one of Akron’s 30 for the Future. Listen to the end to find out about his NYE show with Dan Wilson.
http://www.greaterakronypn.org/30-for-the-future/
https://www.facebook.com/rubbercityjazz
https://twitter.com/theronbrown1
https://www.knightfoundation.org/
05:01s How I met Theron as a gigging musician
06:15s Living in New York and gigging on the Mississippi Queen paddle boat
08:35s Playing Herbie Hancock in Don Cheadle’s film “Miles Ahead” film with Ewan McGregor
13:12s The impact of being in a film – thinking bigger
16:50s Teaching at three colleges: KSU, YSU and Tri-C.
17:50s Working with the Knight Foundation to foster a vision for the arts
21:10s Detroit Jazz Festival as inspiration for Rubber City Jazz and Blues festival
24:30s Akron and the regional midwest vibe and sound of music
27:30s The genesis of the Rubber City Jazz and Blues fest with the Knight Arts Challenge
30:04s Grasping opportunity and building skills to grow into a festival producer
35:20s The nuts and bolts and what it takes to produce a music festival
38:12s Renaissance of art and culture in Akron, OH and Northeast Ohio Region
46:03s Being recognized by Akron Chamber of Commerce with 30 for the Future Award
47:50s: Leadership Akron program – and how it helped with producing the festival
50:00s Mumbai jazz fest and visiting during monsoon season
52:12s OpenTone Music and is gets music into the public schools
53:52s New Year’s eve with Dan Wilson, Chris Coles, and Tom Lehman at Blu Jazz
“As things change, we have to change too, with technology especially”
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