[Dixielandjazz] Talking to fans

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/16/04 10:24:19 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
jazzmin at actcom.net.il writes:

> 
> Shalom Jazz Fans,
> 
> Hey, never mind at festivals and gigs. Don't most of us run into fans 
> anywhere
> and everywhere who recognize us and have heard us play somewhere? On the 
> bus, in
> the supermarket, at restaurants, passing us on the streets? There's a name 
> for
> this, I think, when people know you because they heard you perform 
> somewhere,
> and they sort of expect you to know them too.
> 
> Anyway, I get greeted all the time by people that I haven't a clue who they 
> are.
> Some even call me by name, or "Dr Jazz". Now and then it's even a cute gal! 
> I
> ALWAYS stop and say hello (not only to the cute gals!), and if the 
> conversation
> seems to persist, I'll try to determine where we met or where they heard me. 
> You
> never know who you're talking to. Tom Wiggins would probably say you have to
> make it your business to know. Often they are potential clients. I'll pull 
> out a
> card, ask them for one, ask if they've heard our new CD (which I just so 
> happen
> to have 10-20 with me at all times), and always keep smiling and look for 
> points
> of common interest.
> 
> What about those guys or gals who always ask how you play your "mandolina" 
> or
> guitara" (i.e., banjo) or "saxophone" (i.e., trumpet, trombone, or
> tuba--Israelis call everything a saxophone)? I have learned that there is 
> often
> a reason they are asking, like they want to learn themselves, or they even 
> have
> one and don't know how to play it. I've converted some of these 
> conversations
> into students, and therefore potential band members. Just the other day at a
> small gig for relatively low pay I had 2 -- count 'em -- such serious
> encounters. The security guard started asking me about my cornet, and it 
> turns
> out he wants to learn trumpet. And another gal who plays guitar has a tenor
> banjo (!! really odd here) and is trying to learn to play it. Hopefully one 
> or
> both will start soon now that Hanukkah is over.
> 
> Who was it who said something like, "Don't complain when the fans hound you;
> worry about when they stop." Because that would mean your erstwhile career 
> is
> about over.
> 
> Elazar
> Doctor Jazz Band
> Jerusalem, Israel
> <www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz>
> Tel: +972-2-679-2537
> 
> 

Folks:

I have never had the pleasure of meeting Elazar Yet, and I have no idea how 
good a player or bandleader he is, but I will say one very important thing 
about him that I have learned about him on this list.  He is One smart band leader 
doing what many others are still sitting at home dreaming about doing.

And he took this music to a totally new marketplace and is finding an 
audience daily that grows with every performance.   

In my opinion he is a ONE Man OKOM Army on the loose in Israel and is 
definitely winning the war.  I hope soon to see headlines proclaiming him as the 
Kenny G of Israel, and many of the bands on this list will be begging him to bring 
them over to play his festivals and or be his opening act.

I would say Elazar has the Fire in the Belly,

Stoke that fire Elazar and may your bellows never run out of air, and walk 
softly but carry a Big Tuba.  :))

Cheers and Happy Holidays mate,

Tom Wiggins