[Dixielandjazz] Shtick-a new twist?

[Ministry of Jazz]

Hello again,

Doctor Jazz has developed a twist on the band uniform idea that has been
brewing in our performance repertoire over the past several years. People
often ask to try the instruments (or sometimes they don't ask and just pick
them up and start blowing!). I got the idea to do a brief "lesson" in which
we bring along several extra (inexpensive and expendable but playable)
horns, show the participants how to blow a note or two, then get them
blowing the big horns on 1 and 3 and the small horns on 2 and 4, without
pushing any valves, and we play something simple like "The Saints" in Bb and
let the participants play along. I started doing this as a workshop at a
folk music weekend, but have developed it to a point where we can do it in 5
minutes right on the stage during a show. The results are of course not
entirely musical, but for 5 minutes they can be impressive, and the
participants and audience alike have a blast. Occasionally I even get a new
student out of the deal once people see that playing a horn in a band is an
attainable goal.

We have developed this bit into part of our act. I now have 12-15 horns of
various sizes -- mostly trumpets and cornets, but with a couple baritones,
short valve trombone, small tuba or other lower brass. I can pack all the
small horns in one large suitcase padded with towels so transportation is
not a problem. We then bring along a dozen vests and a dozen marching band
hats with plumes that I picked up on eBay. Add a washboard or two and some
other small percussion things to the mix, and maybe a couple colorful
umbrellas, and in 5-10 minutes we have produced and fielded a veritable
parade right before the eyes of our delighted audiences. We fire up the
Saints and lead the parade around the room and back to the stage. You should
see the cameras flying as people are confronted with an unexpected photo op
of their loved ones marching with a uniformed brass band. We charge $100
extra for this bit, and have had numerous repeat orders for it after
customers have seen it once. It has never failed to be a hit with the crowd.

Another shtick we've added recently -- I found a French Quarter style street
lamp on a 2-meter high lamp post in a garden lighting store right here in
Jerusalem. On sale it cost me a little over $100. Add to that a traditional
"Bourbon Street" sign easily obtainable on eBay, and suddenly we're doing
our shows on Bourbon Street. Until it burned out, I had a nice red
fluorescent bulb in it to suggest the Red Light district, but warm
yellow/gold bulbs work great too for atmosphere. The thing comes apart
easily for transport if needed, but it fits into my station wagon as is, and
when not in use it stands proudly in my living room. It weighs only a few
pounds, and can be carried with one hand. Now when we introduce the band, we
say "We bring Bourbon Street to you".

My young Israeli partner complained a couple times that these things are too
much trouble. I told him that the entertainment business is "trouble".
That's what people pay for -- the fantasy, along with the good music, of
course. How hard we're willing to work to give our audience a memorable and
thrilling show has much to do with how much we get hired and how much we get
paid. You want to be comfortable? Go take a walk in the park. But nobody's
going to pay you to do that!

Elazar Brandt
Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
Jerusalem, Israel
www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
+972-2-679-2537