[Dixielandjazz] dancing kids

Wed Mar 8 09:45:52 PST 2006

I haven't traveled in Europe extensively but I have been to Germany several 
times and see it as anything but a liberal fun loving place.  The thing 
about cops waiting outside bars so they can get a DUI on you is a fine art 
there and the consequences are much stronger than in the USA.  My Son got a 
DUI there and lost his license, had to take random urine tests for a year 
with all being clean before he could start taking driving lessons each week 
at about $50 a pop for almost a year.  Not only that but the insurance 
companies don't have to pay for the damage to your car if you wreck it. 
There are guys that kill people here and get off easier.

Having said that the Germans seem to enjoy street musicians and numerous 
fests where a lot of beer is consumed but I also noticed that they walk a 
lot more there.  I attended a fest while I was there last summer and there 
was no music but had to walk about 2 miles to get there.  Walking burns off 
a lot of alcohol and you can't get a DUI.

"If it's from outside it must be great" -- I have seen this happen so many 
times. I don't understand why people pay more for a group to come in when 
there is often a cheaper and sometimes better group locally.  This is great 
for the traveling musician but crazy.  My trumpet man got a call from the 
Jan Garber Band to do a gig in Tennessee.  I can't believe that anyone would 
take a 10 piece band from Wisconsin to Tennessee for a one nighter and I 
can't believe that a band leader would do it.  I'll have to ask him next 
time I play with him.  Trumpet player didn't take the gig.  There must have 
been a lot of bucks in it for someone.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 5:07 AM
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] dancing kids

Tom wrote:  what is apparent here but not to many in the USA is that where
Jim Lives and works and thrives a Professional and highly respected Musician
is in Europe  where American Jazz, Blues and Gospel Music is still
considered to be our Country's ONLY contribution to
World Culture.

Strangely enough, Tom, this seems to be a national malady in lots of
countries.  Respect something that comes from somewhere else more than your
own.  We get Spanish listening to our Jazz, and the Flamenco clubs are full
of foreigners!  :> If it's "from outside", it must be great!

Tom continues:
Here at home we have legislated so many rules and regulations and
restrictions upon people to go out and have a good time and release energy
and anxiety that we have apparently lost the desire and ability to actually
go out and have FUN.

I suspect, Tom, that if you go to Germany, and more up North, you will get
all kinds of regulations, also.  The Spanish, however, are not a very
regulative type of people.  They are extremely gregarious, and do not normal
have visitors in their homes.  They go OUT!  They drink a lot, smoke a lot,
& are a very noisy & showy people! They love to dress up, go out, be seen.
Even Franco couldn't keep them down on the farm!

Someone posted, yesterday, about playing "our jazz" acoustically.  A good
point made for the right people & the right situation.  But, it is certainly
not the right situation for "Noisy Spain"!

If anyone had a look at the link I posted yesterday and saw the crowded,
tiny club we often play in, you will not see a quiet, attentive audience.
You will see, however, a bunch of kids having a great time.  I have to go to
some extemes to quiet them down after the break.  I announce that "the
concert is about to begin", etc. Nevertheless, I don't try to destroy their
festive mood.  That would be counterproductive. I don't like a church
atmosphere in a club.

So, we go back to the thread that has been flowing beneath all the threads
these recent days:
We all play in different kinds of bands, in very different situations.  None
is the only "correct" situation or band.  All we can each do is try to
survive in the situation we find ourselves, and try to have some fun with
this music we play.

Jim

_______________________________________________
Dixielandjazz mailing list
Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz