Going Beyond Mainstream Music

ZMR Continues A Tradition of Drawing Top New Age, World, Ambient and Electronica Artists to New Orleans...catch the ZMR Awards Tomorrow Night at The Joy Theater!

Deuter: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016

Zone Music Reporter (aka ZMR) kicked off tonight at The Vacherie!  An impressive lineup of presenters and performers are scheduled for the weekend concert at The Joy Theatre in New Orleans, Saturday May 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. 

Fans of new age, world, ambient, solo piano and electronic music are in The Crescent City this weekend to celebrate the greatest artists in alternative instrumental music at the 12th Annual ZMR Music Awards.  A showcase for legendary and newer artists alike, this year’s ZMR Music Awards will feature performances by Darlene Koldenhoven, Erik Scott, Jennifer Zulli, Jonn Serrie, Louis Colaiannia, Paul Avgerinos, Robin Spielberg, Ron Korb and Terra Guitarra. Biographies of the performers can be seen at http://www.zonemusicreporter.com/admin/performers.asp 

The evening’s highlight will be honoring German born, Santa Fe based composer and multi-instrumentalist Deuter for his groundbreaking career, which began with the release of his debut album D in 1971 and has included over 60 recordings. He is known for his meditative style which blends elements of Eastern and Western music, as well as his mastery of a multitude of ethnic instruments and continued exploration of new frequencies and resonances. 

“One thing that is important for me is that I love dancing on the edge of the unknown- to play around and open doors I haven’t walked through before,” Deuter says. It is this very outlook that has kept him at the forefront of musical evolution for over four decades. Over the years, he has released albums with Kuckuck Schallplatten, Higher Octave Music, Celestial Harmonies and New Earth Records. His most recent albums including the compilation Eternity, an album of nature sounds he recorded himself and his newest releases Mystic Voyage, Reiki Hands of Love and Illumination of the Heart, all released in 2015.

David Arkenstone and your's truly, 2014.

The show will be hosted by renowned music writers RJ Lannan and Bill Binkelman, with Award Presentations by Steven Halpern, Jennifer DeFrayne, Tom Carleno, Ricky Kej, Ann Sweeten, Erik Scott, and Candice Michelle. In addition to the performers and presenters, popular artists – many of whom are also nominees -- confirmed to attend include Fiona Joy, Get Tribal, Hans Christian, Andy Mitran, Al Jewer, Lisa Downing, Wouter Kellerman, Jeff Oster, Neil Tatar, Kori Carothers, Josie Quick, Bruce Hecksel, Bob Ardern, Sensitive Chaos, Jeff Pearce, David Nevue, Paul Speer, Barbara Hills, Catherine Marie Charlton, Cathy McIntyre Oakes, Jim Combs, and more, providing a great opportunity for fans, artists, and broadcasters alike to meet and mingle.

Open to the public, the event welcomes music lovers from across the globe, as well as local residents preferring quieter vibes following the city’s famous Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest events. One of the best-priced concerts of its kind, the show includes hours of live performances by myriad ZMR and GRAMMY® award-winning artists, with the awards presentations in between acts. 

Will Ackerman (Windham Hill/Imaginary Road)
 & friends performing in recent years. 

With the continuous growth of the small, privately owned ZMR Music Chart & Awards, several exciting satellite shows are scheduled around town on the nights leading up to the event. Renowned electronic guitarist Jeff Pearce performs an intimate FREE show at Pete’s Pub at the Intercontinental Hotel on Friday, May 6 at 11 p.m. Electronic artists Sensitive Chaos, allthecolorsofthedark with Mark Louque and Proud Father will play on Thursday, May 5 at the Mudlark Public Theatre at 9 p.m.

The ZMR Music Awards are a hugely popular event amongst music industry professionals. A great many recording artists, performers, radio promoters, producers and a slew of industry executives travel from all corners of the globe to attend the weekend-long celebration, which has joined with InterContinental New Orleans as its official hotel partner this year. 

The 2015 event was an overwhelming success, turning into a four-day triumph, and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, with multiple networking and social events rounding out the weekend. For over a decade, Zone Music Reporter has been establishing itself as the premier resource for the best in New Age, World, Electronic/Ambient and Instrumental music. New Orleans’ Joy Theater has become the spiritual home of the yearly ZMR Music Awards. 

Peter Kater (Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, 2015) & Tina Malia

Winners will be announced live in New Orleans on May 7, 2016; the awards are interspersed with live concert performances, beginning at 7:00pm. There are thirteen categories voted on by Radio Programmers and DJs this year, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Piano Solo, Best Acoustic, Best Ambient, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Best Chill/Groove Album, Best Electronic Album, Best World Album, and many more. For a complete list of categories and nominees, please visit Zone Music Reporter. A sampling of performances from recent ZMR Award Shows can be viewed here on YouTube. 


Follow the ZMR Awards on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ZMRAwards 

An Afternoon with Al Conti

The Grammy-Nominated New Age Artist Discusses His Life 

Q: What does Al Conti want to be known for?

A: Crafting good music and having contributed to the New Age genre in a positive and influential way.

I also want to be known as a serious artist. Recognition and success are measured in many ways – for me it is choosing to be an artist and all that this means. It isn’t an easy journey much of the time, but it is the path I have chosen. Artists have something inside that must be expressed; it has to be let out. I like to think I had a choice in my life to do what I wanted – but in many ways I feel that the choice was made for me.

Q: Agreed and well said. What do you want people to take away from your music?

A: Each listener needs something different from the experience, so it is hard to say. But overall, I would want the listener to feel they have been on a journey when they finish listening to an album of mine, a journey they wish to take again and again.

I want my music to evoke images and memories – to bring people to a higher level of consciousness – to escape the everyday may it be a job, the groceries, doing their bills – like a cup of tea on a rainy day can be so soothing – yes, that is it.

Q: Nice! What is your guilty pleasure music wise?

A: Lately I’ve been enjoying a step back in time and listening to a lot of disco music.

As I have often said, my tastes in music are about as broad as is possible – I also enjoy 1920s music for its lively optimistic beat. A little like disco I guess! My music taste can vary greatly throughout the day. I can go from listening to Juice Newton to R.E.O. Speedwagon to Chopin to Nina Hagen within a 24 hour period.

Q: Wow- being so diverse is such a great way for artists to broaden what influences and affects them. I should probably be broadening my music list even more. What is your guilty pleasure TV wise?

A: I do not watch much television, in fact I only have cable connected in the set in the kitchen – to watch the news while I cook and that is about it. I generally watch DVD’s or stream movies. My guilty pleasure is watching something that can transport me to another place and time. I love historical fiction a lot – especially period pieces. As far as TV itself, I may watch some TV on DVD. Recently, I have been watching DALLAS (the 2012). Can you believe Linda Gray has not aged a day?!

Q: Ha! True and I'm sure she appreciates the compliment! Describe your perfect day?

A: Waking up slowly and quietly, as opposed to being jarred awake by street construction, which happened a few times in the last few weeks!

The minute I stir, I hear my dog Digby’s tail start to wag and thump against the floor – she knows breakfast is coming.

This may sound odd, but I love a day when it rains and I don’t have to go anywhere. I can watch the rain fall, drink some tea and read or work on my music. It is pretty simple really – I love to do what I do and my perfect day would be just that. Ok, I could be doing it in Paris too or another beautiful place in the world!

Q: Not odd at all, I love the rain. For me it has these inherent romantic qualities that are great for creating. Best thing a fan ever did or said to you?

A: I’ve mentioned this a few times in interviews, but it was a true life moment for me when I received an email from a therapist who was working with veterans of the Iraq war. She told me that she was using my music in her therapy to help soldiers with post-traumatic stress. That email was a gift I will never forget.

Q: Best thing you ever did or said to a fan?

A: Find that which makes you different and let that define you.

Q: What is the most empowering thing anyone has ever told you?

A: Having a learning disability does not mean you are stupid. It just means most people function like a PC and you function like a MAC. All end up with the same results, you just process differently.

Q: Great analogy! Favorite song (not yours) that you play to put yourself in a great mood?

A: I have many. My iPOD currently has over 21,000 songs! My mood changes through the day and, depending on mood, a song may pop up in my head and I have to listen to it so it will leave me alone.

Q: Favorite song of yours and why?

A: ‘Daughter of the City’ from the album Scheherazade. I love how the song came together and, artistically, it is some of my best work. I was able to convey everything I intended to for the album’s opening in that song.

Q: Thank you so much for your time, and for the last bit, your favorite quote?

A: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – The Little Prince

www.alconti.net