[Dixielandjazz] Black Audiences for Dixieland - was Kermit Ruffins

[Steve barbone]

 David Richoux <tubaman at batnet.com> wrote
 
> I first saw Kermit when he was probably 13 or 14 years old, playing in
> a New Orleans "street band" that soon became the ReBirth Brass Band.
> Since then he and his various groups have been featured at Jazzfests
> and in all of the local clubs (and ReBirth has toured - headline status
> all over the world.)  He, (and they)  probably ask too much appearance
> money for most of our OKOM festivals.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends upon how one gets backing money for festivals. We
played with Preservation Hall in 2003 at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in
Wilmington DE. One set each on "New Orleans Night". Because of Public Arts
Grant Money funding for PHJB, and the fact that they were touring in the
area, our band cost more money for the Festival producers than they did and
we live within 20 miles of the venue.
 
> Also, if the OKOM  festivals (not in New Orleans)  book more black
> artists they will also have to expand advertising and education to make
> that target audience aware of the fact that there are bands actually
> playing this kind of music, the history of the music and how it relates
> to more current R&B, Hip-Hop and Soul styles. And that it is fun, cool,
> and not just for "Pink People."
 
> Getting major "Urban" (as the market name-makers call it) radio
> stations involved in this process would be important.
> 
> It won't be easy... ;-)

Maybe, maybe not. Depends upon how skilled the festival producers are in
producing a "real", for profit, jazz festival. Getting blacks to listen is
no big deal. At the above mentioned festival performance, audience 5000, the
audience was about 35% black. Same percentage at our annual appearance in
Dover Downs Casino for their jazz festival where the audience is about 1000.

This  coming Saturday, Barbone Street has a Mardi Gras gig at Sydney's Jazz
Cafe in Rehoboth DE. During the summer months, we get about 10% black there.
Don't remember what the percentage was last Mardi Gras Saturday, but we do
have about 10 die hard black fans who always come to see us whenever we are
there. (venue capacity is 161)

Dave, you and I may dig the history, but "That History Stuff" is not really
important to the huge, untapped, BLACK AND WHITE audience out there. And why
should it be? We're JAZZ MUSICIANS, not teachers there to educate the
audience. We are there to entertain them. And they are at a music festival,
not in a classroom. What is important is that the music swings (verb, not
adjective) and that the band and music RELATES to the "new" audience.

(Not talking about our school educational programs where we do try and teach
an appreciation for the music. But even there, we do not bring up much
"History". It just ain't relevant to kids either.)

If there are any "swinging" Chicago Style Bands out there that want a good
time, pitch a black venue. When you play there, you will be amazed at how
well you are treated and how much the audience digs the music. We played at
Fat Rick's, a BBQ & Blues joint twice a month for a year. Audience was 60%
Black, 10% Hispanic and 30% White. The owner lost the property via eminent
domain, and retired. It was one of the best gigs we played in our 15 year
history and the audience just loved it too.

I think I told about the first night we played there and the Black owner
turned on the stage spot lights after announcing us, revealing us in all our
pink splendor. He then shouted out in mock horror: "My God, they're White."
Brought the house down.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone