A new board member

Note from David: A new board member - please welcome Christopher Kalisch!

I mentioned that we are beginning the year with a few new board members. NCMF would not exist without the hard work the board does all year round. Please welcome Christopher Kalisch!

DY: Where did you grow up?

CK: I grew up on the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, NY about 20 miles north of Manhattan.

‍DY: I seem to recall your father played the violin, yes? Are there other musicians in your family?

CK: My father was an amateur violinist who played in the Westchester Symphony with Oscar Shumsky as conductor. My Aunt Joan Kalisch was a professional violist who played in the American Ballet Theater orchestra for 30 years and the Austin Symphony for 35 years. She also recorded with Alice Coltrane and many other jazz and pop bands. My uncle, Karl Fritz Kraber, was the flutist in the Dorian Wind Quintet and the New York Chamber Soloists....he performed with the Boston Pops and the Aeolian Chamber Players.

‍DY: You lived in Brazil for many years. What was that like?

CK: I was lucky to have worked for EMI Odeon in Rio de Janeiro for 4 years promoting American music and, on the flip side, promoting Brazilian music in the USA. I loved everything about my time there...great musical experiences with some of the best Brazilian musicians. I love the culture, the people, the nature, and the relaxed way of life. I learned Portuguese and continue to visit Brazil on a regular basis.

‍DY: Paul McCartney? How did you get that gig? What was it like working for him?

CK: While working for a talent agency in Los Angeles ICM, I represented a group whose attorney was John Eastman, Linda McCartney's brother. When Paul went out on his own, post Beatles, John asked me to work as Paul's personal assistant. My job oversaw all aspects of the work "Wings" did. Touring, recording, a TV special and the day-to-day management responsibilities for McCartney Productions Ltd. Very difficult job but I kept reminding myself that it was an honor to work with a musical genius and to be a part of musical history.

Once I went to the airport in Lagos, Nigeria to pick up the band members of “Wings” for a recording session we had scheduled. Only Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine were there when I arrived. I asked where the drummer and guitar player were and Paul said they didn't show up for the plane and left a rather rude message saying "have a great time in the jungle....we're not coming." I asked who was going to play drums and he said "I am." Who is going to play lead guitar and he said "I am." I didn't know what to say....so I just said ok. “Band on the Run” was the name of that album. He played every instrument and it was awarded several Grammys.

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Link to Youtube link for "Maybe I'm Amazed" — ***Wings***

DY: Do you have a favorite Wings song? My art teacher in middle school played Wings nonstop so I really know that stuff.

CK: "Maybe I'm Amazed.”

‍DY: You must have worked with some amazing people! Can you share a few other names.

CK: While working as a concert booking agent at the talent agency ICM in Los Angeles we represented Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Jackson Browne and many others

‍DY: What kind of music do you listen to at home?

CK: I listen to a variety of rock, jazz, classical, and a lot of Brazilian music.

‍DY: What do you consider the greatest pop recording of all time?

CK: Difficult to name only one…"Abbey Road," Dylan's "Blonde on Blonde," and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" are, off the top of my head, right up there.

‍DY: What classical do you listen to?

CK: Chopin, Bach, Saint-Saens, Brahms and of course, Beethoven.

‍DY: You get one song to listen to the rest of your life. What is it?

CK: “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland

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David Yang, Artistic Director