[Dixielandjazz] alive & well

[James Kashishian]

Our gig at the U.S. Embassy (Madrid) went well, with less visible
security then I have seen in other years, although they did take my
mobile phone & Palm Pilot off of me at the gate.  Still don't know the
reason for it being July 3rd.  Whoever said the guards at the entrance
are just outa school Marines was right.  We were dealt with by
rentacops, and Spanish Police.

It was a garden gig, and we were the last band, after the Spanish Navy
Band, playing Sousa, etc., (memories of my AF Band days!), a local
Country Western Band called Guns & Butter (a U.S. couple who live here),
and then us.  Spent 3.5 hours waiting, then one hour playing.  Food &
drink was free & good.  Normal cocktails in the garden gig, where the
bands are just like an unseen radio.....a noise one must talk over!  Not
complaining.  Knew what to expect.

The Spanish & U.S. Anthems were played by the Navy Band.  Spaniards
applaud after their anthem, which strikes me always as strange.  You
could spot the Americans in the crowd 'cause they put their hands over
their hearts, which is a trait peculiar to the U.S. only, I believe.

Nothing else very exciting.  Tonite, we're in a local, plush hotel...The
Palace.  Mostly Japanese, who are very attentive, but not very
excitable!  A few Americans drop by the piano & leave tips, which always
kinda shocks us, as it's not a done thing here!  (We divvy up the money
happily, all the same.  No shame in this band!)  Sat/Sun is a local jazz
club.  No Japanese, no money dropping Americans, just loud
Spaniards....every one with a cig in his/her mouth, unless its a cigar
or a roach!

Jim (that's this weeks report) Kash