We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James “Fuzz” Sangiovanni. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James “Fuzz” below.
James “Fuzz”, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
There are many ways in which I keep my creativity alive and flowing. First and foremost I access that part of my brain as often as possible, on a daily basis really. Being a musician, an artist and entrepreneur, I write and produce music as often as possible, even if just for my own enjoyment and inspiration, not for any specific goal. I brainstorm ideas constantly. Always working on the next project and opportunity. I see creativity as a form of problem solving which is really my biggest muse. I’ve always been a problem solver since I’m a child, so in any day to day activity, I always seek ways to improve, fix, streamline, innovate and create something, from the most menial tasks to big life changing projects.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been a musician most of my life. The journey started with me being a huge lover of music as a child, then playing guitar in rock bands as an early teen and since then I’ve met thousands of people in every area of the music industry, studied classical and world music as an undergraduate in college, toured all over the world as a performer, written, produced and recorded over a dozen albums of my own in addition to working with other artists like the Tom Tom Club and collaborated and shared the stage with the Allman Brothers, John Scofield, Keb Mo, Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, members of Phish the James Brown band and many others.
I have successfully launched a few creative projects/ bands that went on to be internationally touring and recording projects. Caravan of Thieves and Deep Banana Blackout are the two most active and both are examples of my work attempting to create a unique musical genre that is still accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
My newest project is called “Fuzz On It” and is an acoustic soul and swing sound where I sing and play acoustic guitar mainly. I just released my second single internationally called “Love Came” which is a follow up to my first single “Sweet Dreams”
I have also been a music educator for most of my career teaching guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice, and ukulele and have done campus lectures on jazz history, songwriting and creativity workshops in schools all over the country. I’ve also designed and implemented many local community outreach programs bringing music education into underfunded schools and neighborhoods.
Besides performing, composing, producing and teaching, my biggest strength is in the role as director. I’ve been a music director in most of my music projects and have managed a music school as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Emotional intelligence
Integrity
Creativity
Emotional intelligence has proven to be the most valuable asset in almost every area of my life, both professionally and personally. It takes a good deal of humility and honest self reflection to access and develop this skill. The best concepts come from a diverse range of ideas but the process can be challenging with conflict always on the horizon. It takes a good deal of emotional intelligence to navigate these environments and often take one’s self out of the equation. I have developed really important relationships over the years and I believe it has mostly to do with the consistently positive environment I’ve helped create in every working and personal interaction, which I mostly attribute to emotional intelligence.
Integrity – Even the most simple tasks should be executed with some level of integrity. Loving what you do or taking pride in your work is what gives it purpose and purpose is what ultimately drives us. Sure, we all need to make a living and monetizing what we do is essential but can distract from the main reason we do what we do. This is a mantra I’ve had to use to remind myself in so many situations as it’s easy to be allured by the wrong motivators, but in the end maintianing integrity has always resulted in more profits anyway, and more importantly gratitude, a real sense of accomplishment and an overall positive experience.
Creativity – This has always been a big part of my life and career. It can be blissful when in a real flow state, whether composing music, doing a live musical improvisation, producing a recording or brainstorming business or marketing ideas. This is where the magic happens and every good thing I’ve accomplished has come from a creative flow. I have always had a passion and a propensity for problem solving, and I find problem solving and creativity to be pretty interchangeable. I often hear people say “I’m not creative” or “I’m not artistic”, and I always break down the mystique for them about the stereotypical artist. We are all creative. We are all artists. What makes us human is our ability to imagine and think abstractly and to solve problems. Just give yourself the license and freedom to do it and it will happen.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Possibly, yes. I have worked with all types of people in all areas of the music, arts, entertainment and education industries over the years. Lately I’ve been a bit of a one man operation but am looking to expand my business, network and possibly join an existing team if it seems like the right fit and opportunity. This could be within the music industry (studio and live show production, licensing, education, marketing) or something entirely different, perhaps with some like-minded people who could use someone like myself with many years of life and business experience and possibly create something special, maybe even groundbreaking!
My email is
[email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fuzzonit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzz_on_it
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fuzzystjohn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessangiovanni
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fuzzonit
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fuzzonit
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-967279647-205260675
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/fuzzonit
@fuzzonit www.caravanofthieves.com
www.deepbananablackout.net
Image Credits
Shervin Lainez
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