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Ask JRB!

On April 23, 2006, Extraordinarily Talented Young Man asked:

I'm sixteen years old and currently in the precollege jazz program at Manhattan School of Music, but I'm also studying composition. Three of my original compositions are on my myspace. If you ever have the time, would it be possible for you to click on it and listen to them? I wrote them; and that is me playing and singing. They are definitely contemporary and theater style.

To which Jason replied,

It would be a lot of fun if I could listen to all the stuff people send me, but I really don't have the time, and from a legal standpoint, it makes me uncomfortable. All I need is you writing me after you see one of my shows and saying "Hey, you stole that from me!" I've also found that people don't really want my advice or suggestions. What people want to hear is, "Wow, that's amazing! Let me call my record company right now and get you signed!" I've never said that, or anything like it, and when I do give advice, no matter how gently or positively I spin it, the person who asked invariably feels hurt and unappreciated. So just keep writing, keep putting it out there, eventually I'm going to hear it if you're any good. And honestly, I wish you all the luck in the world.

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