[Dixielandjazz] Shtick-a new twist?

[Russ Guarino]

Elazar is turning into the Steve Barbone of Israel.

Russ Guarino

Ministry of Jazz wrote:

> List-Message-Recipient: russg at redshift.com
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.5.7/771 - Release Date: 4/21/07 11:56 AM