[Dixielandjazz] Sexy "babe" musicians

[Bonnie Otto]

O.K. You guys knew this subject would bring me out of lurk mode. Being 
the "other girl" (yes, there was another girl in the band) in the 
Wooden Nickel group I suppose I should speak out on the this subject.

For me the credibility as a good musician is one of the most important 
aspects of the business. I love what I do and I try to improve myself 
every time I sit down in front of a piece of manuscript or a piano. 
When I was first flung into this idiom of music, it was hard to 
establish myself because I didn't know what I was doing so I empowered 
myself with knowledge. I researched, read, listened, asked, played, and 
watched the great ones do there thing. Though I, as of yet, have not 
gone back to finish my music degree, the "learning on the road method" 
has been much more satisfying than the "I are a graduate" route. I have 
grown to love OKOM. I have also found that whining about the injustices 
of being female and being over looked or having the assumption made 
that my depth as a player goes as far as my boobs is not acceptable. I 
use it to my advantage. Case and point:

About 15 yrs ago when I first got into the festival circuit, I was 
playing in a band lead by a well known trumpet player. We were working 
at a now defunct festival here on the left coast. I was asked to sit in 
with the "All Stars" which I gracefully accepted. My playing knowledge 
was coming along and I felt that I could hold my own. Before playing 
commenced, the clarinetist of the group felt obliged to tell me all 
about the usages of dominant 7th chords. This was intermingled with 
"honey's" and "sweeties" and other "useful" tidbits of jazz theory. I 
don't think we ever made eye contact. Needless to say, I was annoyed by 
his pretension. As I was standing there getting madder and madder, I 
had an epiphany -  prove yourself. Take the "mad" and make it music. I 
did. I blew him away. I haven't looked back since.

I earned a lot of respect that festival, mostly for myself. I like to 
think that I have become "one of the guys". ( it helps to be able to 
out belch and out drink most of the guys on this mailing list) Face it 
boys, you're a bunch of horny old musicians and being a female in that 
world is a kick in the pants. (not literally) The big boobs are just 
icing on the cake. (^:

Now as far as the females who mask there lack of knowledge with their 
looks or use their "feminine wiles" to gain what ever it is they want, 
they get found out sooner or later. That scenario is as old as the 
bible. You know they're out there in all walks of life though it seems 
the music business is a big magnet for those lovelies. Besides, gravity 
will eventually take over and unless you marry an rich old man with a 
bad heart, there's nothing any of us can do. O.K....... there is the 
Wonderbra........

I digress. Knowledge is power. Passion and respect for the music and it 
purveyors shines through when you're true to yourself. Male of female. 
Attractive or not. I try to look past the mask and see the heart 
inside. After all, isn't that what we do when we play? Bare our souls? 
That makes all of us kind of naked!!

I skimmed the article that Mr. Barbone posted. ( thank you)  I feel 
that some people think too much and that article proves it. We need to 
support our local governments so they can offer us more community 
sponsored classes like basket weaving or lapidary so we can have 
hobbies and stop thinking so much. I studied classically for years. 
There are people in that idiom that are as much fun as having a tequila 
hangover. Why do you think I play OKOM? I love my classics and still 
play them but jazz breaks the rules. I like breaking rules.

This is my post for the year. Oh look at the time!! I'm late for my 
bead weaving class!!
--
Bonnie Otto, arranger, pianist and gracefully aging "babe"
http://www.sisterswing.com