[Dixielandjazz] Playing before young audiences

[David Richoux]

Steve (and all)

I was not trying to say there is no "young audience" in the USA (our  
band also plays many events in California to enthusiastic young  
crowds.) I was commenting more on the "foreign" aspect ;-)

While we are on this topic, something that happened recently to a  
local youngish "sorta-dixie" band is disturbing. Without naming any  
names, a trad jazz society had hired them to play a monthly session,  
then the music director was replaced for unknown reasons. When the  
band leader called the new music director to get a bit more  
information on the gig he was told there was no contract, no gig, and  
goodbye. (I do not have all the details yet so I cannot say more  
about this.)

This sort of miss-management  really turns off young musicians who  
are trying to continue performances of OKOM. I know that changing  
directorship in mid-year for volunteer organizations can often lead  
to problems, but this seems to be a bit over the limit.

We are going to burn bridges before they are built if we don't try to  
welcome newer bands to this somewhat  "closed clubhouse" circle of  
jazz societies. I am sure there are many of you on this list who are  
doing all they can to encourage new and younger bands in your area -  
but maybe we will all have to work harder on this!

Dave Richoux

On Sep 7, 2006, at 7:55 AM, Steve Barbone wrote:

> David Richoux tubaman at tubatoast.com wrote
>
>> Ginny, and all,
>
>> There is something so energizing about playing for a "young and
>> foreign" audience! I have done this many times with the California
>> Repercussions "big band" in many countries and cities all over the
>> world and I know how the "Ambassadors of New Orleans" feel.
>
>> It is not the same as playing that regular  gig or a "normal" OKOM
>> festival...
>
>> So you need to cut the guys some slack and let them cool off after
>> what looks like  a very successful gig!
>
> Perhaps.
>
> But the interesting part is that the reception the Ambassadors got  
> in Israel
> is quite similar to the reception Barbone Street gets in the United  
> States
> on a regular basis when we play gigs for young audiences.
>
> That's what I've been trying to impart to the DJML for several  
> years, much
> to the dismay of some folks who mischaracterize it.

> snip
>