Testimonials

Passion, knowledge, intellect, experience and street smarts are essential attributes that Marty brings to the table and delivers on through his professional music industry consultations.  Since 1982, Marty has supported my vision by consistently and consciously putting forth concise and clear minded narratives in a solid structural framework that have spoken and continue to speak volumes in an industry that often does not play by the book. Marty Khan exemplifies the “Pyramid of Success” in the jazz industry.

Don Lucoff – President – DL Media Inc

Little did I know it, but the work of Marty Khan and Outward Visions had a profound impact on my musical career roughly a decade before I even knew who he was. Concerts OVI helped produce in Detroit in the mid-1980’s (by members of the seminal Art Ensemble of Chicago in particular) sent this then-classical oboe player down the path of more adventurous music. That nudge combined with the approaches used by DIY folks like Ani Difranco and Fugazi convinced me that creative musicians in control of their own business was the more fulfilling, more lucrative road to take.

Then I actually met the guy–I had moved to NYC in 1993 to be closer to the musicians I was obsessing over at the time, who also turned out to be in OVI’s sphere of influence, notably John Zorn and Thomas Chapin. I took a job with Meet the Composer to further hone my DIY chops, and shortly after I got settled, in walked Marty. He was in the office to discuss commissioning and recording projects several of his artists were involved in, and that was that. He helped me set up my own 501(c)(3) corporation to run my own activities, and within the year I was supporting OVI projects as a grantwriter. Between 1995 and 2003 our joint efforts secured close to $1 million to support seven recordings, 23 commissioned works, 175 performances and more than 225 educational workshops in NYC, Philadelphia, and Tucson, AZ. Our meeting also led to several years of intense private instruction with the legendary composer, multi-instrumentalist and educator Dr. Makanda Ken McIntyre.

Marty’s business acumen–a potent combination of strategy, resource allocation, efficient production and unwavering ethics–led me out of music and into business. In 2004, I started the MBA Program at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business, in part to hone my financial and corporate strategy skills. Since then and in my current role, not a day goes by where I don’t hear variations on Marty’s themes voiced by portfolio managers and executives at many of the world’s largest and most successful asset managers. While their outlook may be slightly different, a number of their goals–such as risk/return tradeoffs, maximizing returns on investments, and managing high-performing teams in competitive markets–are the same. Those goals and Marty’s skill set are applicable to all professional disciplines, and open-minded individuals seeking success by ethical means–in any profession–stand to benefit from his work.

Michael Herbst
Director of U.S. Mutual Fund Analysis-Morningstar Inc.
MBA Class of 2006, Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan

It was a blessing to encounter Marty Khan when I arrived in NYC as a young man without a clue.   Though not much older than I, Marty had been learning the hard way and was already running with the big dogs.  He put me to work with a purpose, a commitment, an honesty and a sense of humor that made every day a step forward.  He taught me that it’s not what you know, it’s what you know you don’t know. I learned how to learn (after an Ivy League education!), and  I built a career in  the record business  based on the values and insight that Marty instilled in me.

Douglas Keogh
President – Robot of the Century Music
Adjunct Professor – Steinhardt School of Music Business, New York University

For my late husband, composer and theoretician George Russell and me, working with Marty, Helene and the Outward Visions team was one of the most uplifting, important experiences of our lives. During our many years of association, Marty guided us through record negotiations, touring, commissions, all aspects of the minefield the committed artist faces.

He developed and implemented not-for-profit organizations for jazz musicians/ ensembles on the very basic notion that all other artists–symphonies, dance companies, museums, have not-for-profit status, and that jazz qualifies for the same.

Marty has the most facile mind– freed from the constraints of traditional thinking, he helps to open up a new world of possibilities for those who seek his counsel. He has heart and soul and complete integrity, and is tireless in overcoming obstacles; George used to say he practices “music business judo.” He enriched the last decades of George’s life with his many brilliant, successful concepts and counsel.

To say that George and I trusted Marty with our lives, both professional and personal, is not an exaggeration; as the saying goes, “The man was raised right.” I continue to rely on him for advice and guidance with George’s legacy, which he gives without reservation. As opposed to the exploitation of the artist, Marty is in music because he believes in it, loves it and wants to protect and preserve those who make it. Anyone fortunate enough to have him on their side is blessed.

Alice Norbury Russell – Executive Director – Concept Inc.

Marty inspired me to continue along my career path, and his book, Straight Ahead, has remained a frequently referenced source that helps to drive my work. In particular, his emphasis on identifying innovative entrepreneurial opportunities while upholding artistic integrity and sustainable business growth is a breath of fresh air and a crucial lesson to learn. Marty’s message is absolutely essential, not only for artists, but for anyone in the not-for-profit world.

Seton Hawkins
Manager, Digital Content and Education Resources – Jazz at Lincoln Center

Lots of jazz musicians have nicknames. For his devotion to the art, his vision and uncommon intelligence, Marty has earned one: ‘The Truth’.  Whenever I need to know the real deal, get a laser focus on what’s happening and why, Marty is my first and often only call. He has an uncanny gift for seeing through the fog and plotting a clear path along the winding ledge we commonly call the music business.

Joel Chriss – President – J. Chriss & Co. 

I have known Marty Khan for 27 years. As an artist-administrator-presenter I have been a client and partner of Marty’s. The advice and friendship he has shared with me over these years has been invaluable. His thinking is clear, practical and uniquely his own. He has helped me achieve a broader understanding of how to manage projects large and small. For that I am grateful.

Joseph Franklin – President – Metadesign Associates
Author of Settling Scores: a Life in the Margins of American Music (Sunstone Press)

Throughout the years of working with Marty I have found him to be a man of integrity, a critical thinker, a man who says what he means and means what he says. I consider Marty a friend, colleague and mentor. It has always been a pleasure working with Marty on various projects.

Darrell Bridges – Executive Director – Arts & Education Continuum

What can one write about a mentor? No words are sufficient to express the karmic debt of respect and gratitude for the learning and wisdom gained through the close working relationship with one’s first professional mentor. On top of our professional relationship, we became the peace-making equivalents of soldiers in a bunker. We were colleagues in teamwork, working all hours, building territories, watching backs, making decisions, taking in all learning possible, creating and following plans, analyzing results, attempting to continuously improve our skills, communicating, defining and building community internationally, all for the good of the artists and the fans. “The Music”. It was challenging, fun, ground-breaking, ambitious, effective and from a pre-revenue booking and management agency start-up, we transformed into a non-profit organization and the rest is Outward Visions history.

Marty helped teach me to believe in (and manifest through our team’s work) the ability to make vision reality. Even outward visions, as we both had. With Marty and Helene’s integrity, clarity, innate understanding and empathy, directness, deep passion, commitment and attention to practical details, with the rest of the team learning from them, while each contributing in their own unique ways, we “made it happen.” The “it” ranged from social service through music projects and concerts, booking and managing first and subsequent tours of many of the highest level musical icons in Jazz, (most of whom had almost no fan base at the time), new recording agreements, both international and domestic, generating media in newspapers, radio stations, TV and live events. It was magic, yet all day to day while eternal.

The most important thing he gave us was the freedom to excel (or sometimes fail), with some guidance, instruction when requested, but an improvisational spirit and approach to business. His book and lectures give the same broad strokes of inspired perception, with a down to earth message of dignity, equity, and proper use (in his often strong opinions) of all things relational.

He’s a wealth of knowledge, a G-dfather of New Jazz, whose perspectives have lessons for all genres of musicians and at all levels. He’s also a great listener, who can hear in the speaking of others, how to help focus their direction and efforts. As much as his consultations and book’s messages are practical, they are also life lessons and he’s respectful and mindful of the difference. The logic and perspective is always there, the challenge is what to take from it and how to best use it, for you to make your “it” happen.
It’s an opportunity I highly recommend and have always valued pre-eminently in my own life and career. We make of our connections what we do. Plenty of choices and answers, please get Marty’s opinion and wisdom for yourself, as many of the top music industry professionals, both artists and business people, have done for decades.

Robert Singerman – LyricFind, imusic-school, Mondo

Marty is a brilliant visionary.  The only reason I won’t say that he thinks outside the box is that for him, there is no box.  He is passionate, energetic, funny, and can tell a hell of a story.  He and Helene draw upon incredible experience from years of working with jazz musicians, presenters, promoters, agents, record labels.  His advice and judgment is invaluable.

Joy S. Rosenthal
President – Contemporary African American Music Organization Inc. (CAAMO)

Extremely knowledgeable and passionate about music, the business and people. Marty supports the fiercely independent individual. He works hard to understand his or her ideas and innovations. He rapidly creates a plan to support that direction. Be prepared with notebook and pen to ‘chew’ on several pages of notes, weeks after your first consultation…….. work hard to digest…… Marty’s vision will save you several experimental missteps!

Nioka Workman – Loft Arts Productions

Starting a new business in today’s very difficult environment, especially one centered on creating more performance opportunities and enhancing the careers of jazz artists, requires new approaches and out-of-the-box thinking. So I turned to Marty Khan to help me structure the business to be both successful for me as an entrepreneur while providing services that truly help jazz artists and the jazz community. Marty’s excellent reputation is well deserved. He is a clear-headed businessman with a genuine love of jazz performers. He has garnered an incredible amount of knowledge over his long career as a manager and consultant while working with some of the top names in jazz. Marty listens to what you have to say and works with you to better define your goals and the strategies you need to pull it off. His advice is always insightful and appropriate, and he has helped me enormously to take the next steps necessary on this journey.

Alan Wexler – Co-founder – Mouthpiece Music

When saxophonist-flautist/composer Thomas Chapin died of leukemia at age 40 in 1998, we all mourned the passing of a huge spirit, a player of ‘monstrous chops,’ who left the music and musicians changed, said the critics. I did not know nor understand the world of music or jazz UNTIL several months into Thomas’ passing I received a phone call from Marty Khan, who was a friend of Thomas’ since he did some career consulting for him in the early ‘90s.  Marty was recommending the steps to create a non-profit to preserve and carry forward Thomas’ work and to further the education of jazz through his music.  Thus began a now 14-year journey in laying the groundwork, building and growing the Thomas Chapin legacy, called Akasha, Inc.

Without Marty’s help, sensitivity, and gentle, but firm insistence, it might have all fallen apart. Hand-held by Marty and Helene through this process, and after many phone calls, emails and letters, Akasha Inc. stands strong today.  With Marty’s guidance, we were able to archive all of Thomas’ music and papers at Duke University (a project spearheaded by Paul Jeffreys, Duke’s then Director of Jazz Program and Thomas’ mentor/teacher from Rutgers U); we released a historic 8-CD box set of his Trio music; created a website, www.thomaschapin.com, that includes videos, artwork and photos; a live-in-Europe CD was released in 2006 and two new releases are coming out in 2012.  In 2008 three remembrance concerts were held in NYC on the 10th anniversary of Thomas’ passing and 65 musicians from all over the world came to play and honor Thomas.  The list goes on of how Thomas has come into the sphere of younger and seasoned players, and new listeners are discovering his music, and they are inspired and moved by it.  Finally, an independent documentary film about Thomas Chapin is in the works. The film will tell the little-known story of his life and music, how he came to play on the big jazz stages of the world and how we lost him too soon.

For all this and more, Akasha, Inc. is indebted to the meticulous care, tireless devotion and infinite passion that Marty, Helene and Outward Vision bring to their work. They are elevating not just the music, but creating a solid foundation to build a better world.

Terri Castillo-Chapin – Executive Director – Akasha, Inc.

Business school taught me people, relationships. Marty Khan taught me business. I would probably be alright in the world without a marketing degree, maybe close to where I am now. I would be nowhere without Marty, and I can’t say thanks enough. I firmly believe nobody just happens to run across Marty. The Universe puts him in your life for a reason, and usually one you really can’t afford to ignore.

Kyle Wilson – Executive Director – Artist Sync, Inc.