An Interview w/ Alfonso Todd III
Creator of the NazJazz Festival
Chronicle - Alfonso, what a pleasure to get to talk with you. So, how is it a businessman like you got into and supports jazz? Alfonzo - I had done a Christmas event in Reading, PA where I heard about their annual Jazz Festival and about the Delaware Water Gap Event. I was approached by Tina Smith of the Nazareth Chamber about several projects and the idea came to me: A Jazz Festival in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Nazz Jazz! She presented it to the board and the rest is history. Chronicle - How did the Nazz Jazz Festival come about? Alfonzo - Vision, hard work, and musicians/artists who care about an event that celebrates the genre of music. Chronicle - The logistics of putting on an affair such as this- as we all know- are daunting. Do have support from the community? Alfonzo - We are only on our third year, but we have had support from the Nazareth Chamber and various businesses from Nazareth and beyond. But there would be no festival if it weren’t for the artists and musicians. They are the true substance of the event. Chronicle - How's the Nazareth borough to deal with? Alfonzo - Tina Smith of the Nazareth Chamber is great! Without her there would be no Nazz Jazz. I thank her for allowing my vision and creativity to thrive in the area. Chronicle - Do you think Nazz Jazz will evolve in prominence to, say, a Folk Fest or Berks Jazz Fest? Alfonzo - I believe if we stay consistent and continue to bring great quality musicians, it can. Remember, they had to start from somewhere too. We may be more grassroots than most, but I believe our value is solid.
Chronicle - How many vendors are currently participating in Nazz Jazz ? Alfonzo - Tina and I are still at the beginning stages of Nazz Jazz III, so we are still cultivating vendors / sponsors at the moment. Chronicle - The Chronicle knows you’re committed to your community. You've even run for office, run your own marketing firm, ATA, and have an Internet radio station. Tell us about Prolifickradio, your bid for office, and involvement in your community? Alfonzo - Prolifick Radio or www.prolifick.com was born due to a need for true community radio in the Lehigh Valley. A place or platform was needed where the public community could come and promote their events in a cost effective manner or tell the stories of their life experiences without fear of a slant or edit. I ran for City Council 3 - 4 years ago, on a platform of Tourism. At that time it was comical to many. Now, with the new infrastructure we have in Allentown, people aren't laughing anymore. I stay involved in the community. Over the years I have led two marches, given away Christmas gifts and dinners, and given school supplies to those in need. Now, I have an organization called the Global Business Cooperative www.globalbusinesscooperative.com whose goal is to teach entrepreneurship and instill self-sufficency and sense of pride; as well as enhance any business that is willing to learn. Chronicle - How important is social media for your business and festival promotions? Alfonzo - Social media is very important, but it is not the all and all. People need to know there is not much value in having 5,000 Facebook Friends but having only 2 people come to your event. Human interaction, networking meets, and eye-to-eye conversations will never go out of style. We still utilize cost effective media advertisement, as well as use social media. Chronicle - Can you tell us what other projects you’re working on? Alfonzo - We are preparing for events in 2016 at the moment. We have a couple of festivals planned in Allentown, PA, tentatively, as well as Nazareth, PA and Whitehall, PA. Exciting times are ahead! Chronicle - What's next for Alfonso Todd lll? Alfonzo - My goal is to create multiple city-wide events that will draw national and international crowds to Allentown, PA
Chronicle - Alfonso thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. The Chronicles wishes you continued success, and we look forward to the Nazz Jazz Festival this year.
Alfonso Todd III The EPICENTER
www.epicenterus.com While others TALK, We DO! Check out our upcoming events! www.lvhealthexpo.com www.nazjazz.com
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