[Dixielandjazz] Today's music buyers

[David Richoux]

On Oct 20, 2005, at 9:33 PM, tcashwigg at aol.com wrote:

>> From a musicians wanted list:
>
>
>
> JAZZ TRIO NEEDED FOR OUR WEDDING:
>
>
> We are getting married next year and looking for a jazz trio to play 
> for two hours, before and during our wedding ceremony and during the 
> cocktail hour.
>
>  The band should be comfortable playing music by, but not limited to: 
> The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louie Armstrong, Nina Simone. Duke 
> Ellington, Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton, etc. We are looking for 
> traditional jazz and blues, NO swing, dixieland or elevator jazz 
> (nothing wrong with those styles, it's just not what we're looking for 
> ). :) You will also be comfortable playing some classical songs during 
> the wedding processional and recessional.
>
>  We look forward to hearing from you, thank you!
>

That reminds me of this classic:

Dear Band Leader:

We look forward to your performance at our daughter's wedding. If you 
don't
mind, we would like to request a few of our favorite songs. Please play
these during the reception:

A Keith Jarrett composition from his solo series. Please arrange it for 
full
ensemble in the key of B but nothing in 4/4 please.

Mahavishnu Orchestra, "Dance of the Maya" and please have the guitarist 
play
John McLaughlin's solo from the live performance Nov. 16, 1972 at 
Chrysler
Arena. My wife and I were at that show and we liked his use of 
polyrhythms.

One of John Coltrane's duets with Pharaoh Sanders. Our guests love high
register tenor saxes.

We thought a little Stravinsky right after the toast would be nice. So
please play "The Rite of Spring." We like a tempo of about 1/4 note = 
93 and
transpose it down 3 half-steps - it will be so much more appropriate for
this occasion in the slightly lower register.

Then for the candle lighting ceremony, please play Frank Zappa's "The 
Grand
Wazoo." The original key of B flat, would be fine but my cousin Jeannie
would like to sing the baritone sax solo in the key of D - she has kind 
of a
high voice.

When my new son-in-law takes off the garter, please just a little of
Varese's "Ionization." It's such a funny piece, we think it would go 
over
real well. Much better than "The Stripper."

And for the bride & groom's first dance, please slow things down a bit 
by
doing Barber's "Adagio For Strings." It's so much better than "We've 
Only
Just Begun" or the "Anniversary Waltz."

When my wife and I join in the first dance, could you segue to Thelonius
Monk's "Ruby, My Dear" - it's in honor of my wife's grandmother whose 
name
was Ruby. It would mean so much to the family.

Thanks for all your help. Depending on the outcome we'll certainly be 
happy
to recommend your band to our friends.

We'll have your check for the fee of $250 (minus our expenses in 
contacting
you of $12.50) by the end of next month: we're a little short as the 
young
lady doing the balloon arch wanted her $1,850 in advance and the DJ had 
to
be paid up front his $2,500 as normal. Our daughter assured us that your
love of music was greater than your need for money, and that you would
welcome the exposure you would get from playing this wedding.

Before you leave, please feel free to ask the caterer for a snack 
sandwich
and a soda (the bottles are returnable or you can pay the deposit to the
butler).

Please use the back entrance to avoid "disturbing the guests."

Dave Richoux