[Dixielandjazz] Musicians as Guests?

[Ministry of Jazz]

Shalom Jazz Fans,

I have to agree with Steve Barbone. In my experience, how musicians are
perceived at events has a lot to do with how we perceive ourselves. If we're
just there to do the job, collect the money and run -- along with whatever
free food, drinks and girls we can pick up -- then that's how people will
see us. And I dare say they will be less inclined to cater to our desires.
After all, we're just there to do the job. Then you can compare us to
plumbers and electricians.

But music is also an art, and musicians (and those who hire us) are
generally interesting people who are worth getting to know. I make a point
of arriving at a gig smiling, friendly and outgoing. I compliment the hosts
on their home, or the event, or anything I can find to say something nice
about. In Israel, everyone has a story -- where do you come from, how long
have you been here, what do you do for a living that you can afford to hire
a 5-piece band for your party, etc. As I always say, the gig starts when we
arrive, not on the downbeat. My two main players are young Israeli grad
school students. They are well groomed, well spoken, and as you already
know, we arrive well dressed in classy, colorful outfits. There is much to
schmooze about between us and the hosts. And I always make a point to find
out who is the guest of honor at the event, to personally congratulate them
on behalf of the band, and to present them with one of our CDs. The host
gets a CD and a smile too, when presenting the check. (The CDs have our
contact info on them, and are great calling cards for repeat business.)

I'll tell you something else -- if a plumber or other worker shows up at my
door covered with grease, rushing to get his work done, collect his money,
and leave, well, that's how he'll get treated. But if someone is clean and
friendly and acts like he enjoys his work, this fellow might well be someone
I want to talk to, offer a snack or drink, or whatever. I recently bought my
first car in Israel after 10 years. Garages and service stations are a
nightmare here. I was fortunate to get introduced to the mechanic who has
been servicing the car since it was new (1991). When I came for my first
servicing and saw how well I was treated, you can bet no other mechanic will
ever get his hands on this car. He recognized the car and knew the name of
the previous owner. He sees I am a musician and starts asking about what I
do, what kind of band, etc. He asks for my card because he has another
customer who is also a musician. He wants to know where we perform. I made a
special trip back to bring him a complimentary CD (shame on me that I didn't
have some with me already!) and an invite to one of our performances (and he
came!). This man is no grease monkey. He's a professional, an artist, and so
he sees himself, and therefore that's how I relate to him. I actually look
forward to bringing my car in for servicing.

Forget the hired hand crap. The band is one of the factors that will make or
break an event. It is in everyone's interest to have a good, friendly,
professional relationship. Same with the caterer and his workers, and anyone
else who is there to work at the event. My players and I always try to
schmooze with the servers, without interfering with their work, of course. I
wonder if we're the only ones that treat them like people. They appreciate
it, and it makes the events more fun for us as well.

Just don't take it too far. I was a sideman in a wedding band once, and the
leader had the players stationed at various points along the procession
route (outdoor gig), and had a nice entrance planned for the bridal party,
with drum roll, trumpet fanfare and then segue into the processional number.
When the moment arrived, late of course, the leader went to give the signal
to the drummer who was standing some 50 meters up the route, and the drummer
was holding a drink in one hand and a plate of food in the other, schmoozing
with a guest, with his back turned. The leader had to run over to get his
attention, then run back to his own position. They were friends, but in my
book that fellow wouldn't have worked for me again.

On the other end of the spectrum, again as a sideman in another band back in
the US, we played at a wedding, and when it came time for the band to eat,
they fixed us plates of boiled meat, potatoes and green beans, to eat while
sitting on folding chairs in the kitchen, with no table. We were insulted,
and I think rightfully so. Why do this to people who create the atmosphere
for your event? I think we'd have felt better if they just didn't feed us.

My 2 shekel's worth. If you read this far without deleting and were
disappointed, don't blame me.  :-)

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