[Dixielandjazz] Straw hats, Garters, Vests, Etc.

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

There is a demand, at least here, (St. Louis) for bands in some sort of 
costume.  That ranges from Mariachi  to Dixie.  I have one of the few 
bands in town that will show up in about anything although my cornet 
player draws the line at bunny ears.  We have done gigs in white jump 
suits for a "Moon/Space" theme (Moonglow, Moon River, Shine on Harvest 
---- etc.), French Street Band outfit for Bastille Day, Mariachi,  WWII 
Army uniforms, Blues Brothers etc. 

I would look down on this myself but these people hire me year after 
year for this stuff and pay me more than I would get otherwise for it.  
A costumed dixie band is just part of it and as long as there is a 
demand I will fill it.  This town is full of guys that these things are 
below them but I am still working.  My only concern about it is that we 
may get type cast.

Tiresome, sure but like Liberace it's money in the bank and I get to 
play pretty much what I want.  A musician without a gig is about as 
useless as a car without gas and if you don't get gigs there is little 
reason for musicians to want to play with you.

I put it down to show biz and having fun.  I didn't last in music 
without being adaptable.  Most of the "cool" guys that I have known 
aren't playing any longer.  Does that say something.  I used to think 
that it was great to be cool but then I grew up. Personally I take 
almost every gig that comes along with some exceptions and I think of 
myself as a musical opportunist doing what it takes to stay in business 
and playing.

Audiences here aren't as sophisticated as maybe in other parts of the 
country.  I think of St. Louis as a small Southern town that got big 
with a lot of Midwest values like there is something vaguely wrong with 
enjoying yourself or that entertainment has less value than things and 
that includes the people that do it..  The old saying is that "if you 
can make it in Peoria you can make it anywhere".  but they should have 
said "if you can make in St. Louis". 

Larry Walton
St. Louis

Robert S. Ringwald wrote:
> This talk off & on for the past several years about Jazz bands who 
> wear straw hats, garters, etc is a bit tiresome.
>
> IMHO- There is a time and place for everything.
>
> If I am playing a Jazz festival or an event where people are actually 
> there to hear the Jazz, chances are we will dress accordingly, to what 
> the situation calls for.  It might be short sleeve shirts or might be 
> a tux.
>
> However, if we are playing for a "Roaring 20s" party or perhaps "Gay 
> 90s" & are part of the atmosphere, we will dress in the period of the 
> party.
>
> Putting down bands who wear period costumes is about as silly as 
> expecting an actor who is appearing in a play, film or TV show, not to 
> dress the part.
>
> My daughter who is an actress, when doing a period piece, would not be 
> in the business for very long if she refused to wear clothes 
> appropriate to the role that she is hired to play.
>
> By the same token, if a client is paying me to provide atmosphere for 
> his/her event, that is exactly what I will do.
>
> Instead of the negative comments (snickering behind our hands) on the 
> List, at bands who choose to wear period costumes, let's get on with 
> the positive side of listening to, learning about and playing Jazz?
>
> --Bob Ringwald K6YBV
> The Fulton Street Jazz Band
> The Boondockers (Jazz and Comedy)
> 530/642-9551
>
>
>
>
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