[Dixielandjazz] propinas

[James Kashishian]

Propinas (tips) for given for a requested song in Spain are not known,
period, unless the tipper is wearing a baseball hat & checkered pants.
Actually,  we only run into Americans (tourist type) at our regular
Thursday nite gig at the Palace Hotel.  If an American asks for a tune,
he will leave normally $20 at this particular gig (fancy hotel!).  The
band, all Spanish, used to be shocked, but are now used to it.  It
doesn't happen in Spain, normally. 

Last nite at the Palace was fun, as there were some 100 Americans
there....some convention, I suppose.  They danced to most of our stuff,
'specially Glenn Miller.  Great applause in a joint that is normally
very staid (if we get applause at all it is even quieter than the
applause you hear on those golf tournaments!).   I was trying to
convince the band it was the moment for What a Wonderful World when a
guy requested it!  (I know, I know, the world is not all that great, but
it's still a song people love.)

So, guess when the manager walked in?  Yep, for the last song when the
conventioneers had all left!  There was a handful of folks sitting
around engrossed in chat and never even noticed we had finished.
(Always in hope that the waiters will mention something to the manager!)

Jim