[Dixielandjazz] OKOM as popular music - was - If I could Play an Instrument

[Steve Barbone]

DWSI at aol.com
 
> While I fully empathize with the author's desire for OKOM musicians to  make
> more money as professional performers, I must add one critical issue left  out
> of the article. The article said...
> 
> "The  sad thing is that the purchaser is in the music business to make money,
> but  somehow, they
> don't want to pay the people who make the music that  makes the money."
> 
> Yes,  the purchaser wants to make money, or more money, that's why the word
> "business"  is in the phrase, "show business." But the market is defined by
> the 
> most "popular" tastes in music--and that, by definition, at this time and
> place, is sadly, not OKOM. Why is this basic concept so difficult for some to
> grasp?

I think most on the DJML do grasp it. However there are some (like me) who
have indeed popularized OKOM to the jazz oblivious in our market. Those OKOM
musicians who work with me do indeed make money.

I take a lot of heat talking about it because many are comfortable playing
"art music" for free rather than going out and actually making it popular.

Case in point: I have a gig coming up on Wednesday eve, May 9th. The Senior
Class Reception for the graduating class at The University of Pennsylvania.
On the lawn of the University President's House. Probably about 2000
students there that afternoon. DIXIELAND by their request with a bead
throwing Mardi Gras theme. This is our 7th gig at the University in the past
two years, 2 hours and pays more than most bands make at an OKOM Festival.

No doubt that pisses a lot of people on the DJML off who will accuse me of
bragging, and being arrogant etc., etc., etc. Well, believe what ever the
hell you want. The fact remains that OKOM is a paying form of POPULAR MUSIC
in the Philadelphia area. As evidenced by my gig schedule. I know why, and
I've told others why and how it became so. It could be done with a little
work in any of the top 100 metropolitan areas in the USA today. But, most
folks just don't have the fire in their belly to do it. Much easier to bitch
and moan about how tough things are. And by playing for free, ruining the
market for professional musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone