[Dixielandjazz] Unwritten rules??/

[john Petters]

Bill said
>I know, I know . . . to most of us this practice (handing out your card on
a
gig) seems to violate some sense of 'fair play' and my gut reaction is this
is in poor taste.  But my gut reaction tells me that I ought to have the
>
>right to give a potential customer my card if I so desire

Nothing stops you from giving a potential customer a card - but it is still
bad form and should not be done on the gig.

If the venue puts on jazz gigs publicly then there is no reason way a
separate approach AFTER the gig, i.e., on another day, may not be made.

I had an experience at a jazz club where my band was playing. I do not put
my band out cheap, yet occasionally some musicians I employ will play for
next to nothing. In this situation when he was asked for his price (for a
bigger band than mine) it was way below my price. This gives the impression
that I am ripping off the club, and also means I would be paying this muso
more as a sideman than he would get as a leader. Nobody wins.
Another situation arose in a theatre. My show had filled the place. I
approached the manager for a re-booking and he said I've already talked to
............and booked the show. The show offered was not mine!!!!. This
ended up in court, since I fired the musician concerned and he sued me for
breach of contract and won!!!
So Bill I am afraid on this one I think you should be obliged to respect the
leader who has engaged you and resist the temptation of becoming a gig
bandit.

John Petters
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
WWW.Traditional-jazz.com