[Dixielandjazz] communication

[Ministry of Jazz]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kashishian [mailto:jim at kashprod.com]

>However, we play for a multilanguage audience, & I find sometimes that
chatter drops on deaf ears, so to speak.<

Hi Jim and listmates,

I also operate in a multilanguage environment and many people do not speak
English, including half my band. I have found that there are various ways
one can play with the language problem and the audience will both appreciate
it and enjoy it. Here are a couple of brief examples:

* When speaking or performing abroad, I will get someone to teach me how to
say in the local language, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is
Elazar Brandt, and I do not speak any {whatever language}." Or some
variation on that theme. Once in Holland I was one among many speakers who
had to be translated. When my turn came, I went to the translator's mike and
he went to mine. I said something like the above quote in Dutch, and he
translated it into English. I proceeded to give him a dirty look, and
angrily gestured for him to trade microphones with me. Then I started in
English and he translated to Dutch, the same sentence. The audience loved
it, and after that I had them in my hand.

* I have had success with translating song titles into Hebrew, the more
cumbersome the better, especially if the audience knows the songs. For
instance: "When the holy ones enter the world to come by marching", or "When
the train that goes to Alabam' at midnight departs". Of course I don't try
to sing the songs that way, but the very non-musical cadence of a bad
translation can be funny. The other night when I introduced Five Foot Two, I
told them in Hebrew it comes out to 1.55 meters. That always gets a laugh.

* In Moscow I went out to their pedestrian mall to play banjo, and I
stumbled onto a 7-piece Dixieland band that was quite good playing on the
street. Though they had a banjo player, they grabbed me and insisted I play
with them. I spoke no Russian, not a word, and they spoke no English, except
they knew the titles of most of the songs. Otherwise we sang them to each
other to identify the tunes, called a key, and let 'em rip. They asked me to
sing the lyrics in English because they don't do vocals, and the crowd loved
it. It was a memorable experience for me too.

I could give lots of other examples, but suffice it to say that rather than
surrender to the language problem, a bit of creative play with it is all it
takes to bridge the gap and get the audience with you.

> Trombonists RULE on the camera!<

Trombone being my original instrument since age 10, I certainly share your
experience with the visual side of the show. However, it is only a small
jump from there to understand that any color or movement or other
showmanship will accomplish similar results. This is why I insist on
performing in costume. Some creative choreography is also effective. It need
only to be something as simple as marching in a small circle on the stage
while playing the "Saints", or having the players do a barbershop quartet
style unison stepping to one side then back. You don't have to dance. As
long as you're not trapped by the sound system and some or most of the
players can move, take 4 steps toward the audience on the beats, and then 4
steps back, or right then left. Photographers are easy to manipulate. They
thrive on anything out of the ordinary that will look good on film.

Some ideas for your consideration,

Elazar
Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
Jerusalem, Israel
www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
+972-2-679-2537