[Dixielandjazz] Working In The Trenches

[Steve barbone]

Hi Russ:

Hey, I am just repeating what Jessica Williams said. BUT, then most folks
would tell you that here in Philadelphia $75 is common also and $200 a night
imaginative.

Well, not to my band. We routinely pay sidemen between $100 & $350 a night,
$100 being for one hour. And I personally know pianists making $150 a night
6 nights a week at two hotels here. Meanwhile the majority of the guys make
$75 in joints all over town.

Hey guys, it depends upon which "music scene" you are wired into. Jessica is
talking about maybe one or two hotels, and a guy lucky enough to find it,
who would also be an EXCELLENT performer. Same here in Philly. Some
musicians are lucky enough to get on my gigs, and or on Joe Sudler's gigs.
He does a lot of high priced work. They make money.

The others merely sing that old song; "That's Impossible".

Now, Jessica Williams is nobody's fool. You may never have heard of her, but
she is an excellent jazz musician and no doubt can back up her assertions
just as I can mine.

Cheers,
Steve

on 11/23/05 12:35 AM, Russ Guarino at russg at redshift.com wrote:

> I had to spoil your creative juices, but in Monterey, $75 a night is common.
> $200 a night is, well, imaginative.
> 
> Russ Guarino
> Clarinet Maverick
> 
> Steve barbone wrote:
> 
>> In response to an off list question asking what I meant by "working in the
>> trenches", here is jazz pianist Jessica Williams view of what that is. Note
>> that while I agree with her concept, my sidemen make more money per gig.
>> They are just a bit below the "excellent" pay she mentions.
>> 
>> BTW, Jessica Williams is an excellent female jazz pianist who works concert
>> venues such as Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall etc., and writes a Blog called
>> THE ZONE "Dedicated to John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Mary Lou Williams, Dexter
>> Gordon, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, and
>> all who have devoted their lives to American Improvised Jazz Music."
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Steve
>> 
>> "The truth is that most musicians who work in nightclubs and bars average
>> considerably less than $100 a night for a full 5 hours of music (from 9pm to
>> 2am). The bartender, waiters, and waitresses make more, much more. My
>> gardener makes three times that much (and deserves it). This wage has
>> changed not at all in 25 years. Some musicians make $50 a night, and most
>> make $75. Those musicians lucky enough to land a steady hotel job in a rich
>> area (such as Monterey, CA) may make $200 per night. That's unusual, and
>> considered excellent pay."
>> 
>> "And it hurts me too. Don't get the idea that I'm casting any aspersions
>> here. I admire the musicians who work for little or no compensation 'in the
>> trenches'. At least they're making music and turning a few people on to
>> jazz. I can't cut the wages, the environment, and the attitudes. I get sick
>> and depressed in that 'scene'. That's my problem. But I do admire those
>> musicians."