📰 Solving the Funding Gap: A New Tool for Booking Artists in Schools
At DGL Artists, we’ve had the privilege of working with incredible jazz musicians and ensembles whose performances enrich schools, universities, and communities across the country. But over the past year, one challenge has surfaced more than any other:
funding.
Even when a school or organization is excited about bringing in a world-class ensemble, too often the answer comes down to:
“We’d love to… but we just can’t afford it this year.”
We’ve heard that story one too many times — and we’re doing something about it.
🎯 A Purpose-Built Fundraising App (In Development)
Right now, we’re developing a custom fundraising platform that’s designed specifically for:
Middle schools, high schools, and colleges that want to bring in guest artists but face financial barriers
Music educators and arts coordinators who need plug-and-play solutions that don’t require hours of planning
Community-minded sponsors who want to support the arts in education without the bureaucracy
This app will make it easier to raise funds for performances, clinics, and residencies — and just as important, any money raised beyond the artist fee goes back to the school.
💡 Why This Matters
We believe live music is more than entertainment — it's education, mentorship, and cultural connection. But when schools are asked to fundraise for everything from new uniforms to sports travel, the arts often fall behind.
This tool is about changing that dynamic — removing friction, reducing cost barriers, and making it easier to say yes to great music.
🚀 Be Part of the First Wave
We’re currently looking for a small group of schools, educators, and presenters to test the first version of the platform.
If you're interested in being part of the early access group, click the link below to submit your info:
🔔 Want Updates?
Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media — this is just the beginning. If you're on LinkedIn, feel free to share this post or tag someone you think should know about what we’re building.
And if you're an artist on our roster, know this: we're building infrastructure that works for you, not just around you.
—
Stay tuned for more updates as we roll out the next chapter of DGL — where booking isn’t just possible, it’s sustainable.
—
DGL Artists
Elevating artists. Engaging audiences. Across genres and generations.
A Symphony of Jazz: John Beasley Premieres New Work with Royal Stockholm Philharmonic!
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazz
Blue House Jazz with orchestra
John Beasley, Magnus Lindgren and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in a unique collaboration. Special guest: vocal virtuoso Michael Mayo.
Many are looking forward to this exciting encounter: John Beasley and Magnus Lindgren join forces with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in the Blue House Jazz series, with special guest Michael Mayo!
American pianist John Beasley and multi-instrumentalist Magnus Lindgren have collaborated several times before, and this time it’s with unique arrangements for the symphony orchestra. Alexander Hanson conducts the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Among the pieces performed, we have Portraits: a newly composed suite in three movements, created in close collaboration between Lindgren and Beasley, and at the same time, an expression of their friendship.
Grammy Award winning composer, arranger, and pianist John Beasley has performed with legends such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Dianne Reeves, Steely Dan, Christian McBride, Chaka Khan, and even one concert with James Brown. He has also worked on film scores, including James Bond movies Skyfall and Spectre. Since 2012, Beasley has been Music Director for the annual global gala International Jazz Day concerts, hosted by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
Magnus Lindgren, along with trumpeter and vocalist Peter Asplund, is the artistic director of the Konserthuset's Blue House Jazz Orchestra. Recently, he was Artist-in-Residence with the SWR Big Band for three years. He has collaborated with a large number of top artists, including Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, James Ingram, Bobby McFerrin, Ivan Lins, Till Brönner, and John Scofield.
Special guest is the highly exciting vocal virtuoso Michael Mayo, who has had Herbie Hancock as a mentor, and who seamlessly moves across soul, jazz, R&B, and art music.
Participants
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Alexander Hanson conductor
Michael Mayo voice
Magnus Lindgren saxophone
John Beasley piano
DGL Artists News