Today we’d like to introduce you to Audley Reid.
Hi Audley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing saxophone in high school(South Shore) in Chicago, Il. I was very fortunate to be around some amazing musicians who let me hang out and learn how to be a musician. I was one of the early musicians performing at the Cotton Club Monday night open mic that was the training ground for a fantastic group of comedians and musicians.
I continued to perform while in college all over the city and got a few calls to go out on the road with a few bands to experience the music world.
After I left Corporate America, i just jumped right in the music world increasing my foot print in the Chicago land area and other major cities. I have been very fortunate to perform across a wide range of musical genres including Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Blues, and R&B, at venues and events throughout the United States, Mexico, Asia, Canada, Europe and my native country, Jamaica
Partial Discography
Audley Reid – Reid Seed CD
Audley Reid – A Plays E CD
Audley Reid – Pasadena Groove (single)
Audley Reid – Atom (single)
Audley Reid – Upcoming Project 2026 Release
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The music business has been very challenging and very rewarding. Music will make you find yourself or break you, if you don’t have a strong belief in yourself. The competition and the music industry is always changing and you must be able to pivot while staying true to your defined goals.
You can’t know everything about this business but you must educate yourself on the business of music. Playing/ Performing is a small part in the overall picture. Not understanding what you are signing or the terms embedded in some contracts will set you back or never allow you to reach your full potential.
Put together a team that you can trust and has knowledge of the business and will try to keep your interest top of mind.
Know your worth as a musician/composer, tech, vocalist etc, when your time is requested.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My wife and I (Vivienne Bailey Reid) relocated to “The Entertainment Capital of the World”, relocated to Las Vegas, NV in 2022 from the Chicagoland area.
I am a business manager, multi woodwind instrumentalist and recording artist in the Jazz, Contemporary/Smooth Jazz and R&B genres. A few artist i have performed wth over the years -Kim Fields, Nick Colionne, Howard Hewett, Ray Parker Jr., Michael Henderson, Vivian Green, Norman Connors, Michon Young, Y.L. Douglas and Rita Lim(Super talented vocalist who welcomed me to the Vegas music scene).
I would say my biggest asset is Dependability and Flexibility. Having worn many hats over the years, i have gained insight from both sides of the table that still serves me today. The learning process never stops in the music business and you must be open to the changes
I had the honor of playing for Mr. Lerone Bennett Jr home going service and meeting and performing with guitarist Pete Cozey(Miles Davis and Ray Parker Jr.)
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-Taking is what life is all about. This does not mean you put yourself in harms way, but if you want to move in another direction you must take take that risk or be stuck.
I take what i would define as controlled risk. Risks that will allow me to grow in areas that i am weak in or need to gain a different perspective to understand the objective.
Leaving Corporate America to become a full time musician was a risk but i was prepared to do make it happen. The ups and downs in the business has helped me to better understand the risks and how they could impact my overall progress
Pricing:
- How you value what you bring to the situation.
- Know you worth
- Have contracts that have clearly defined T&C
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.audleyreid.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/audleyreid?igshid=lsol7crw81iy
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AudleyReidBand
- Youtube: @audleyreid8275
