[Dixielandjazz] Sitting in

[Jim Kashishian]

Someone wrote............ players take control of  the stage from bands who
generously invited them up as a guest for one or  two tunes. 

And, while that was another subject it brings to mind some of my pet
dislikes: 

1.  people who ask to sit in, then take over the band.  Had one guy take the
only mic on stage, put it at the front of the stage, put a chair behind it.
Readjust all the floodlights on the chair, choose & count off the song, etc.
He was a washboard player, otherwise he would have called the key, also!
:>

(That was at least 30 yrs ago.  He wouldn't have gotten away with it today,
as I have hardened over the years!)   :>

2.  friends who only want to sit in, or for that matter only come in to see
the band, when they have a huge crowd with them.  (read in:  show offs!)
 
Maybe even worse than the "show-off" are the shy ones.  Some people come up
on stage & you just know they are dying to get away.  What drives them to
come up?  You leave them a gap for a solo & they just stand there!  Egads!  

3.  people who don't really fit in with the band, so why do they bother
sitting in?

4.  people that sit in and then disappear, never saying thanks to everyone
in the band, particularly the instrument they may have been doubling.


My list can go on & on, but those are some of the main points.  Sitting in?
We were all taught how to behave when visiting someone's home for the first
time.  Sit in the least impressive chair, wait until asked for a taste of
something.  Be polite. Don't make a show of yourself. Don't take over the
party. Say your thanks when leaving.  

Jim