[Dixielandjazz] College Gigs

[Steve barbone]

on 3/9/06 11:43 AM, Russ Guarino at russg at redshift.com wrote:

> Having just finished watching the bands during the Dixieland Monterey Fest, I
> came to the conclusion that the humor delivered by the leader and/or band
> members, both verbal and visual, was almost as important for pleasing an
> audience as the music.
> 
> Question:  In a college setting does the same rule apply?  Should a band with
> good music but no mic man, look around for a "personality" to front the band?
> 
> Russ Guarino
> 
> Steve barbone wrote:
> 
>> What a treat it is to hear about Dixieland Bands playing College gigs again.
>> Craig Johnson at University of New England etc. And Tom Duncun's group at
>> Vassar? (Remainder snipped)

Hi Russ:

In my opinion every band should have a good mic man. Either self developed,
or thinking back to the 1930s, like all those good big bands Louis Armstrong
fronted. Building rapport with the audience is at least half the battle.

The music, or one's love of it laudable as they are, is not enough.

I did publish a complete set of suggestions about that which I will be happy
to send you or anyone else who wants. (Even at the risk of being accused of
bragging, trying to tell folks how great I am, or repeating old news or
various other criticisms etc,)

Or further information about the sacculus and hypothalmus which might be
used to any band's advantage, especially in a college setting.

Cheers,
Steve