Producers offer a break from the 'in' sound
Local couple brings new music program to television audience
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - For New Jersey residents tired of watching Britney, Fifty, Beyonce and Fergie on TV, there is now an alternative.

"In Sound," a 30-minute television program that will showcase non-mainstream musicians, will premiere Friday at 8:30 p.m. and air again at 11:30 Feb. 14 on NJN.

The program is produced by East Brunswick couple Paul and Judy Levinsky.

"We're trying to reach a more sophisticated music listener, and it's just not being done on TV," Judy Levinsky said. "I think it's something the public is longing for."

"In Sound" will feature blues guitarist Joe Taino, of Union, along with folk singer/songwriter Stefanie Fix, of Austin, Texas. Audiences will see performances by both musicians, as well as interviews with each.

The show was filmed in front of a live audience at the historic Stanhope House, a blues club in Stanhope, Sussex County. The club has been host to a wide variety of musicians, including Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Hot Tuna, Bob Weir and Buddy Guy.

Tony Trischka, an acclaimed banjo player, will host the show.

The program was the brainchild of Paul Levinsky and has been nearly three years in the making. Paul and Judy put the show together, then searched for a vehicle to get it out to the masses.

"We were lucky to find a very special woman at NJN who shared our vision," Judy said.

Now the enterprising couple is hoping to get enough of a positive response from music lovers throughout the state to keep the show going. Their goal is to make an ongoing series that will help promote local artists and venues. The Levinskys founded Aacorn Media together in order to achieve it.

When local television stations do fund drives, they usually showcase musical acts in order to drum up interest from the community, Judy said, which illustrates why a show like "In Sound" should be received well by viewers.

Paul Levinsky has extensive experience in both television and music. Before beginning his career in television 20 years ago, Levinsky was a professional drummer in bands ranging from hard rock to Broadway show tunes and everything in between.

One could say he inherited his father's musical genes. Kermit Levinsky was a composer, arranger and conductor who also arranged for and performed with artists such as Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, the King Sisters, and Les and Larry Elgart.

Paul Levinsky's career in television has seen him working as an editor for major networks, public television and cable. His most recent experience combined his love of music and television, working as an editor and producer for MTV.

Trischka, of Fair Lawn, is said to embody the "In Sound" buzz word - eclecticism. His banjo stylings span rock, jazz and classical music. He made his debut in the music world in 1973, and has since collaborated with musicians like Bela Fleck, David Grisman, the Violent Femmes, and members of R.E.M.

Taino, a native of Puerto Rico, came to the United States in 1973 with a guitar and $50 in his pocket. Taking the leap paid off, because he has since played with the likes of Rick Derringer, Peter Frampton, Cyndi Lauper and Judas Priest, among others. Taino has released several CDs on his own label.

Fix's music has been described as having "the hooks of Sheryl Crow, the depth of Tracy Chapman and the intensity of Ani DiFranco." Before settling in Austin, she spent the large portion of her career traveling alone in her van, playing her original tunes at clubs across the country. For the past two years, Fix has been chosen by mp3.com as one of the 100 best independent musical artists.

"We had a wealth of musicians who were dying to be on the show," Judy said.

The show has been underwritten through a grant from the Puffin Foundation, Teaneck, as well as through support from the New Jersey television production community and the New Jersey music community.

For those who are unable to catch the show on TV, it will also be available in streaming video on njn.net after the original broadcast. It will be repeated on NJN's "Jersey Vision," through Comcast Digital Cable. Check njn.net/digital/schedule.html for additional listings.