Carnegie Carnegie hosting Jimmy Adler Band for outdoor show
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Hi, Library & Music Hall friends and patrons! My name is Ben Levitt, and I’m the new kid on the block. I am a first-year master’s student at Carnegie Mellon University, studying entertainment industry management with a focus on the music industry.
I graduated in 2019 from Florida State University, where I double-majored in classical guitar performance and finance. I started playing guitar in middle school. I instantly fell in love with the instrument; my life has not been the same since. Performing music will forever be part of who I am, but along the way, I became very interested in the business side of the music industry.
After working for a year, I found this wonderful program at CMU and moved from my small hometown of Burke, Va., to Pittsburgh. Luckily, I stumbled upon the Carnegie Carnegie, met the wonderful Music Hall director, Melanie Paglia, was blown away and started interning here.
Though the Music Hall remained shuttered throughout my mostly virtual internship, Melanie has been an incredible source of information on performing arts venues. I have been helping her with research and booking talent for our outdoor performances. One of my main projects included collecting data on other music venues, theaters and clubs in Pittsburgh and comparing their rental rates and services in preparation for the Music Hall’s transformation ahead.
From this, I learned about all the nuts and bolts it takes to run a music venue (lights, sound, box office services, production technicians, etc.). In my latest project, I booked the band for our first Listen Locally Outside concert of the season.
After familiarizing myself with some of Pittsburgh’s awesome local artists and bands – and this city boasts some seriously great musicians – Melanie and I chose Jimmy Adler Band. I may be a classically trained musician, but I have a great appreciation for blues, and Jimmy Adler Band is one of the region’s best blues bands.
Pittsburgh-based blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Adler has recorded many original songs that are steeped in the traditions of Chicago blues, West-Coast jazzy jump and other Americana traditions. Blues Revue Magazine describes his style as “guaranteed excitement for fans of straight-ahead blues guitar.”
Jimmy Adler Band returns to the Carnegie Carnegie for a special performance on our outdoor stage in front of the Music Hall entrance 7 p.m. May 16. Single seats start at $15 and tables are available for those who’d like to pack a picnic and make an evening of it – bring your own food and beverage to enjoy.
Coming up with promotional materials and finalizing the band’s contract has also been a great learning experience.
I have loved every moment serving the Carnegie Carnegie, but sadly my internship is ending. The second year of my program at CMU takes place in Los Angeles, where I have landed a summer internship with a small talent agency. I really must thank Melanie again for being such an awesome mentor, and I am truly going to miss working with her.
Before I go, though, my last official internship task will be enjoying a great blues concert with Jimmy Adler Band. I’ll look forward to seeing you on May 16 at the Music Hall entrance.
Until we can meet indoors again, let’s party in the parking lot!
For details or purchase tickets, visit Carnegie carnegie.org.