[Dixielandjazz] The China Syndrome

[Ivor Jones]

Dear Steve,

You absolutely correct in your analysis of the possible problems that could
occur in any country that makes a similar enquiry, and I am sure that with
due consideration I (we) could find more areas for concern. It would appear,
that at least via the DJML, our band is probably the only one to make
enquiries. It may be that another band may have already been engaged.
Although operating from Portugal we have Irish, Portuguese, Welsh, Canadian
and three English musicians  in our line -up and as well as having an agent
we do have a couple of highly experienced, hard headed pro. musicians in the
band, but if offered the position ( an unlikely occurrence) this is still
not a guarantee, and there could still be very difficult problems to
overcome.  After my last e.mail I  received an immediate acknowledgement
from Sam Wasa, the contact, but it appears that another gent is dealing with
the matter and I have not yet heard from the main man.

Keep tuned to this station and all will be revealed (hopefully) in due
course.

Ivor



----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Barbone" <barbonestreet@earthlink.net>
To: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2002 2:57 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] The China Syndrome


> List mates:
>
> For those of you who may be interested in going to China. Suggest you be
> very wary of the "Canadians opening up a jazz club in Shanghai, who
> wrote and asked the DJML for help in locating a band., for an 8 week
> stint"
>
> Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
>
> 1) Who opens a jazz club without knowing how to book jazz bands?
> 2) Who asks for e-mails and then doesn't answer them?
> 3) Why ask the DJML?
>
> If by some lucky stroke, you should be tempted to do 8 weeks in Shanghai
> by a bunch of neophyte jazz club owners and would be impresarios I
> suggest that you get from these chaps:
>
> 1) Half your 8 weeks pay in advance, in the currency of your country, in
> your bank.
> 2) Your round trip air tickets in advance.
> 3) Conformation from your hotel there that 8 weeks have been paid for
> including meals.
> 4) The second half of your pay at the beginning of the 5th week,
> deposited in your bank in your country in your currency, or you get on
> the plane home.
>
> Now, the market is probably great for a good jazz band there, but you
> should protect yourselves. Better to get set up with a reliable booking
> agent, both on their end if they are legit and yours if you want to
> avoid being stranded in a foreign country and find yourself owing room
> and board money etc., and/or not able to take any currency out of the
> country.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
>
>
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