[Dixielandjazz] Re: Spirit of 29 Dixieland Band was Looking for a Trombone Player who can Read

[Steve barbone]

on 1/7/06 2:56 AM, tcashwigg at aol.com at tcashwigg at aol.com wrote:

> I see Elliot every once in a while and sometimes send him gig
> situations that I can't or won't do because of the size of my band
> being too big for the gig and I think a Trad. Dixieland band would fill
> the bill better.  I sometimes borrow his Bass Sqax man who doubles on
> Tuba for Funeral gigs and short parades.   (Mike  Harryman )  who has a
> traditional open house jam session at his home on new years day, Bob
> Milke usually is there along with ELLIOTT and Jim Gammon on Trumpet,
> and a few other interesting characters and assorted players.
> 
> I didn't know you guys were old friends. I don't think he is on the
> list, he has a  slicked up 1929 flatbed truck that he uses for a stage
> in some local street festival events and fair bookings.

Nah, Elliot is not on the list. He is a 100% working musician and not into
explaining why, or how he does it. Used to wear a leather "Lenin" hat and we
kidded him about being a socialist-commie. Hell of a smart businessman with
a card that read "Elliot Kenin - Entertainer" followed by "Spirit of 29 Jazz
Band". Yep, I was a sideman in that band 15 years ago.

Back then, I used to book Barbone Street gigs for 4 hours at $100/man.
(partly because I loved the music and enjoyed playing) He convinced me to
book them for 2 hours at $100 per man and then charge "overtime" for each
additional hour. Worked like a charm. Gigs average out at 3 hours with an
extra $50 for that 3rd hour. I now book everything at 2 hours ++. and it
still works like a charm.

He came back east in the 90's because his dad lived here and was sick. He
stayed several years, until his dad died and then went back to the Bay Area.
Made his living here as a musician, just as he does there. While, every else
was bitching about lack of gigs, Elliot moved cross country and generated
them as soon as he arrived.

Cheers,
Steve