[Dixielandjazz] Simultaneous Gigs - Redux

[Stephen Barbone]

Chatting off list with Charlie Hull, he reminded me of Lester Lanin.

Lester was the premier "Society" Band in the World. For example, he sent
units to play at Princess Di's wedding, Duchess Sarah's Wedding (In the
UK) and Princess Grace's Wedding in Monaco, All US Presidential
Inaugurations, etc., etc.,., etc.

He also booked other gigs during these periods, in fact, booked many
simultaneous gigs over his life time, as did his brother Howard.

Clients wanted a "Lanin" band because of the quality of the music and
because of snob appeal.
Lester personally appeared where the most money was, or the most snob
factor was. So, if Diana wanted Lester, she paid an extra $10 or $20
thousand for him personally. While lesser lights got a band under his
name. He employed hundreds of musicians to cover all these gigs.

Music is a BUSINESS folks. You are supposed to make money at it. Having
worked for Lester and Howard Lanin a few times in my life (never in his
A Band, I can assure you),  I never heard anyone complain that they
didn't get their money's worth. Even when I was there instead of Davern
or Peplowski.

And I have subbed for Orange Kellin and Dan Levinson in Independence
Hall on occasion. Once when leader Doug Finke could not make the gig
either. No one complained. By the same token, Doug Finke has, at times,
subbed for Glenn Dodson, and earlier Pete Pepke in Barbone Street. No
one complained then either.

Fraud? Of course not. Such substitutions go on all the time. And there
are just a very few of us who can tell the difference. Not to argue that
point, but we few who can, are not the audience, just a very minute part
of it, and not very important in the totality of the music's viability.

Music is a business. Play it, satisfy the audience, not the exceptions,
make money at it and don't sweat the small stuff..

Cheers,
Steve Barbone