[Dixielandjazz] Busking

[David Richoux]

I have been doing a bit of low level busking on the streets of Palo 
Alto CA off and on for over 20 years. In the past I was part of a 4 
piece group called "The Hat Band" (banjo, clarinet, washboard and 
helicon tuba) and we did mostly trad jazz standards, no amplification. 
We could take in $50 per man in 2 hours of playing but we mostly did it 
to learn new songs and have some fun on a sunny Saturday afternoon. 
Never had any problem with the law or shop-keepers. We saved our tips 
and we eventually had enough $ to pay for airfare to New Orleans for 
Jazzfest. (we played on the streets of the French Quarter for just 4 
hours and took in about $500 per man!)

More recently formed is the 6 member "Atonal Optimist Jug Band" 
(trumpet, clar, t-bone, banjo, washboard, jug, tuba, slide whistle, 
accordion, etc.) playing gigs at the Palo Alto Farmers Market and other 
locations. We use a tiny battery powered Mighty-Mouse amp/speaker (no 
longer available but is similar to the Crate TX-30E) with two mics for 
vocals and jug amplification. We try for a variety of songs including 
trad jazz standards, old blues, novelty numbers, polkas, marches, folk 
songs, barbershop, whatever seems to work. We have found that shorter 
songs with vocals work better (no long solos, not many multiple solos) 
and songs that little children like (without being a "children's band) 
will keep them and their parents in the audience longer.

Times are  tough these days so we don't make quite as much per person, 
but it is enough for a good lunch and a few beers after the gig. And it 
is still a lot of fun. I am developing skills as  "Your Announcer, 
Speaking" and getting much better at the Jug.

Dave Richoux

> In a message dated 7/29/03 8:23:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> jazzboard at hotmail.com writes:
>
>>
>> Everywhere I've traveled, especially in Europe, I've encountered 
>> buskers in
>> the busy streets of major cities.