Anthony DeFeo, 27, serves as the executive director of Music For Tomorrow, a non-profit which has coordinated jazz salons and performance grants across the country. DeFeo, who always maintained an interest in music, even playing the saxophone, applied his business background to help start Music for Tomorrow. We got a chance to speak to him recently, about the organization’s work.
Elan: Can you tell us about your professional background?
Anthony DeFeo: I’ve worked in finance for the past 6 years. I started out as a licensed banker at JPMorgan Chase and was promoted to Assistant Vice President. At the same time I started volunteering for Music For Tomorrow and began my studies at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business. I then transitioned to the hedge fund world where I’ve worked as a trader for the past two years.
Elan: Tell us about Music for Tomorrow.
AD: We’re a nonprofit founded by Kabir Sehgal, Brent Reidy, Alexa Pulitzer, and actor Jude Law, among others. We create jobs for jazz musicians all over the country with our sustainable jazz-booking service at: www.musicfortomorrow.org. You can name your own price and book a band for any event with just a few clicks of the mouse. We raise money through our voluntary “tip jar” where bookers can donate a recommended 10% extra to support our cause. Everything in excess of our operational costs is put right back into socially responsible organizations in New Orleans.
Elan: What was the inspiration to launch this initiative?
AD: The founders were inspired to launch Music for Tomorrow (MFT) after over 90% of the jazz musicians were forced to leave New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They raised 100K with American Express and launched MFT in 2006. Since then MFT has thrown concerts called jazz salons all over the country. Last year we came up with a way that we can help musicians in multiple cities simultaneously through our new web service.
Elan: What’s been the organization’s greatest challenge so far?
AD: At MFT we love challenges. Recently our greatest challenge was expanding MFT beyond the NYC market. Last month we successfully soft-launched in Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
Elan: You’ve had a number of celebrity endorsements/involvement. Who were you most impressed meeting?
AD: That’s a tough call. We are fortunate to be blessed with the support of a handful of extremely influential and successful celebrities and corporate executives. Wynton Marsalis spoke on our behalf as our adviser on Alhurra recently. It airs on July 28th. I was particularly impressed with how eloquent he spoke about Jazz, Music for Tomorrow, and his history as a musician. Just like he plays from the heart, he also speaks from it. We were very lucky to have his support.
Elan: What advice would you give to someone who is launching their own non-profit?
AD: Work isn’t work when you’re helping people and doing what you love. Keep swingin’
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