[Dixielandjazz] Re: Problems for travelling musicians

[Tony Pringle]

I am taking the New Black Eagle Jazz Band over to UK next month. This 
year i repeated the procedure that I have used for previous trips.

You need someone who will file an application for you in UK. This 
person needs to be associated with an organisation that hires bands - 
a jazz club or festival. They are sent forms and you have to fill 
them in and supply CDs and promotional information - one good evening 
should suffice to complete the forms and then you send them back to 
your representative in UK with a check (it was a cheque actually) for 
the fee. This is all forwarded to the Work Permit office and you 
should get work permits in time for your trip.

This time our work permits took less than a week from the time our 
paperwork was submitted and I have them in hand 6 weeks before the 
start of the tour.

I know of musicians who have not bothered with work permits and have 
got away with it, but if you walk through immigration with a string 
bass you may get stopped and questioned.

The hardest part is finding someone who will submit the application 
on your behalf.

I'm not sure how different it is for other countries and so cannot 
help. Hope this helps.

Best,

Tony Pringle
-- 
Leader, New Black Eagle Jazz Band
Phone: (978) 562-5048
Email: tony at blackeagles.com