[Dixielandjazz] Re: "Jazz" Festivals

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/2/03 9:32:32 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
barbonestreet at earthlink.net writes:

> . Of course, it
> doesn't hurt to mention beforehand that these were jazz legends as seen on 
> the
> "Ken Burns Jazz Show", a few years ago.
> 
> As I said a few days ago. IMO the climate for jazz growth (audience 
> popularity)
> in the USA is as good or better than it has been for the past 50 years. I 
> hope
> that after hearing opportunity knock, we will answer the door.
> 
> After all, I'm just a hack clarinet player having the time of my life. 
> Imagine
> what the really talented players could do.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> 
> 
Many on the list hated and criticizes the Ken Burns series, and while there 
were controversial parts in the series, it did jump start the Jazz market in 
this country and gave it an even greater International Boost in popularity.

Some of us appreciate it and went out and became more visible in the 
marketplace, got creative and expanded our own personal goals and horizons for 
performing the music.

How do we know if it works?  Well, I have been promoting my show to Poland 
which is a very lucrative Jazz market for US acts, for five years now, and 
finally got them to invite us over this next summer and guess what Saint Gabriel's 
Celestial Brass Band will headline a large open air New Orleans Festival there 
in July 2004, and we have never been within 1000 miles of Poland that I 
recall.   We had an offer to go there four years ago but the country was flooded 
drastically that year and the events were canceled.   Fortunately they 
remembered us because we keep promoting and letting them know when we are going on 
tour.

Hard work you bet, but the rewards are outstanding as is the adventure of 
touring and visiting and making many new friends through music that we could 
never do sitting at home being plumbers, or carpenters.   We are indeed blessed to 
be able to do what we do.

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins