[Dixielandjazz] Sitting In

[mikemarois at hirelivemusicians.com]

Nice policy, now do you see why our style of music will die a certain death.  I can see not allowing sit-ins at a grand opening of a club or other important event, but if you hold true to this on even weekly gigs that a band has had for years, how is one to learn and become familiar with performing our style of music.

I thank God that I grew up in Los Angeles and that fine sax man Rosie allowed me to bring my horn in every Friday and Saturday night to perform with his combo.  Rosie had an enormous repitoire that took several years to learn.  When I began to become comfortable with the tunes, Rosie would start changing the keys that we performed the tunes in.  His explaination was to force me to really learn the tunes and my axe.  Rosie started countless numbers of professional musicians playing our style of music, I thank him greatly for what he taught me.

Mike Marois
tuba/computer guru
------------------------------------------------
On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 13:31:24 -0400, Stephen Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Our band has a simple policy. No sit ins unless invited by the band
> members, or it is someone we know who is an excellent player. And when
> it happens (very rarely), no more than one tune.
> 
> We believe that people come to see "us", not a sit in, unless the player
> is of great reputation.
> 
> Example: Tonight we are playing the GRAND OPENING of a brand new Jazz
> Night Club. We will not allow sit ins unless Jim Beebe, Kim Cusack., Tom
> Artin, Jon Erik Kellso, Randy Reinhart, Kenny Davern or Ed Metz Sr. show
> up. And then, because they are professionals, they would probably
> decline the invitation.
> 
> I admire what Lester Young once told a band leader who asked him to sit
> in after spotting him in the back of the room listening one night. Said
> Pres:
> 
> "No thanks man, I don't dig being dug when I'm diggin."
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> 
> We do make exceptions for young players. We had our bass player's
> grandson sit in on drums last year for 4 tunes. I paid him $20 and it
> was his first ever paying gig. He was 14 years old. Plus, I invite them
> to attend the open rehearsals that I attend several times a month with
> Tex Wyndham's Red Lion Jazz Band. (I am a sideman in that band)
> 
> 
> 
> 
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