[Dixielandjazz] Musicians as Guests?

[Marek Boym]

Well,
When I have  plumber (other than the jerk who tried to swindle us), or
any other technician, I always offer a soft drink or a beer.

Cheers

On 30/04/07, Ministry of Jazz <jazzmin at actcom.net.il> wrote:
> You are absolutely right, Bob. I was talking about how we see ourselves, and
> that we ought not to behave as if we're only there to do the job, take the
> money and run. However, I would never eat at an event where I'm performing
> without either being invited, or asking the host's permission. Generally I
> clear this in advance when booking the gig.
>
> I suppose I'm lucky that my guys don't drink to excess. I myself prefer soft
> drinks while I'm working, and I'm not a big drinker anyway. Since I've not
> had a problem with my players, I don't police them during gigs. I usually
> assume we can take soft drinks, or request them, depending on the setup.
> It's hot and dry here. Only a heartless tightwad would expect us to play for
> hours without drinking something besides tap water. For the hard stuff, we
> either ask or wait until it's offered. Nobody has ever refused us at least
> soft drinks, or failed to offer them.
>
> Again, maybe I'm lucky, but so far I can't recall a gig where food or drinks
> were served that we were not invited and welcomed to partake. The exception
> that proves the rule was one wedding where there was a postal strike that
> affected the delivery of invitations and RSVPs, and the couple didn't know
> how many people were coming. They told us they would let us know at the
> event as soon as they had a count, and if there was enough, we would be
> welcome to have dinner. Since we played only the cocktail hour before the
> ceremony, and they had a DJ for the main dinner party, and since there were
> ample drinks and finger foods available, we simply decided not to make an
> issue of it. We finished our performance, thanked and congratulated the
> bride and groom, and said our good-byes. (They had paid me in advance.)
>
> Most of the time we have to fight with the hosts to stop feeding us and let
> us play. Some of them hand us food and drinks while we're in the middle of a
> song! But I am with you 100% Bob. If we are there to make music, whether
> paid or a freebie, that is always the priority. Anything else is icing on
> the cake.
>
> Elazar
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert S. Ringwald [mailto:robert at ringwald.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 7:40 AM
>
> Elazar, your points are well taken.   However, hear is my point as it
> relates to you.
>
> If you were not invited by the host to go to the bar and drink his booze for
> free, and if you were not invited to eat, especially with his guests, I
> don't think you, or your musicians, would do so anyway?
>
>
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