[Dixielandjazz] Set list

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

I like a general alphabetic list because I forget tunes.  I don't like lists 
to play from.  One of the guys I work for pulls everything during breaks 
which uses up break time.  By the time we put away the old set and he pulls 
up a set the breaks over.  He likes to play one tune right after another 
where as I like a small break in between so there is time to put away chart 
and get up the next, unless there is a crowded dance floor then you want 
several up.  There usually isn't a problem if you are using head 
arrangements.  I really don't know why he wants to play one after another. I 
think that people like to talk between tunes.  One guy I work for is putting 
his whole book into five tune sets so that we will play five then take a 
very short break to reload.  This seems to be the better solution.  The 
problem with pulling up an hours set is that you almost always read the 
crowd wrong at some point.  But then again this particular leader does that 
all the time.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 7:01 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Set list


> The following was a paragraph at the end of one of messages awhile back. 
> It
> might be an interesting thread.  My personal feelings are that I don't 
> like
> to make a song list.  Too strict, and doesn't allow the band to mold the
> evening depending on audience reaction, or the band's mood.
>
> I do approach the stand normally with the first 3 songs planned in my 
> head,
> based on what we have played on past nites, so as to keep the band 
> sounding
> fresh.  Afer that, it is audience & band mood that guides me.
>
> Things I consider when choosing songs "on-the-fly" choosing the next song
> while we are
> playing........
>
> ......."this one is slow, shall we go fast or medium next (or visa 
> versa)?,
> we've done two songs based on the 32 bar format in a row, time for 
> something
> with a different format, one with breaks maybe?....whoops, two songs in a
> row in Ab, could be boring for the band, better try a different
> key?....looks like a couple of kids in the front might get up & dance if 
> we
> do a charleston based tune!....need a vocal next?....what's a good one to
> end up with?...need to toss in a well known tune now!....we did that one
> last nite (no need to repeat so often, can be boring for the band), what
> time is it?, time to build up towards the finish?....etc, etc".
>
> How do others approach this?  Strict set list, set list that is later
> improvised, no set list...?? I suppose this will be influenced, also, by 
> how
> often a band performs, or how many songs they might know!
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
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