[Dixielandjazz] 4th of July and security

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

You know the guards actually hope I will blow up my Soprano Sax.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ministry of Jazz" <jazzmin at actcom.net.il>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 11:10 AM
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] 4th of July and security


> Shalom Jazz fans,
>
> Here in Israel, the security capital of the world, it is fun being a
> musician and going through security. My experience is usually like 
> Jim's --
> they look to see that there is an instrument in the case, and don't check
> anything else. Of course, Israeli security people are notoriously 
> efficient
> and effective. They must have some parameters that would dictate when a 
> more
> thorough check is needed. They are more relaxed than western security
> people, who will check every grandmother's shoes and every little baby's
> doll, but then let 4 guys named Mohamed through so as not to profile. But
> don't get me started.
>
> Anyway, once when I was new in Jerusalem and had a lot of immigration
> business with various government offices, I quickly got known as the guy
> walking around with a banjo and red and white outfit with my straw hat. I
> guess I sort of stood out, and the guards often remembered me. One morning
> while trying to get into the Ministry of the Interior, the seasoned guard 
> at
> the door stopped me and very sternly inquired as to what was inside my gig
> bag. I told him it was a banjo, and he pointed and said, "Open it!" As I 
> put
> the case on the table to comply with his orders, I heard his voice behind 
> me
> saying, "YOU say it's a banjo... How do I know it's not a flute or a
> mandolin?" Then he slapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to find 
> a
> huge ear to ear grin.
>
> A couple years later, when the war escalated and security got more hairy, 
> I
> decided a little comic relief was in order. So I made it a habit to carry 
> a
> rubber chicken in my bag, case, or whatever I was schlepping at the time.
> The expressions on the security peoples' faces were priceless.
>
> In other news, yes, friends, Doctor Jazz also had a 4th of July gig. It 
> was
> also the 40th birthday of an American immigrant who had hit it big with a
> start-up high tech company. We've played for them before, but this one was 
> a
> surprise. These folks have a huge house outside Jerusalem with an indoor
> pool, movie theater, arcade, cold drink machines in nearly every room (no
> money required), and a garden up on top of the house that from a distance
> looks like a heliport. The grounds are impeccably maintained, with a 
> gazebo,
> barbecue, play area for the kids, and a sound system with speakers built
> into artificial rocks throughout the gardens. We were invited by his wife 
> to
> arrive in the middle of the party and make a surprise entrance, then play
> for a couple hours. When we got there, a comedienne was finishing her
> routine. We got set up and ready to go, and suddenly there was a fireworks
> display launched from their roof. That seemed like a good time to make our
> entrance, so we came in playing Bourbon Street Parade, and went on to play
> for their appreciative guests and family.
>
> Now if I can only talk someone into a Louis Armstrong birthday show...
>
> Elazar
> Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
> Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
> Jerusalem, Israel
> www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
> +972-2-679-2537
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Kashishian [mailto:jim at kashprod.com]
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 11:12 AM
> To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> Subject: FW: [Dixielandjazz] 4th of July
>
>>...  Anything, whatsoever, could be in there, but no one has ever looked 
>>up
> inside the horn! Good thing us musicos are trusty folks!  <
>
>
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