[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Bio Movies

[Robert S. Ringwald]

J. D. Bryce Wrote:

(snip)
> Neither Goodman nor Miller were the
> nice guys portrayed in their biographies.
  (snip)

While I did not know Glen Miller personally, according to Zeke Zarchy, he 
was a
very nice guy.  He was also a business man and knew exactly what he wanted.

Speaking as a band leader, often because a band leader knows what he wants
and knows what the client wants, musicians who work for him take exception 
to what a band leader does, or wants from his musicians/sidemen.
They often think they know better what is required for a gig, then the band
leader.

Often the sidemen don't think that dressing appropriately for the situation
in which the band is hired to play, having clean, well-press  shoes,
clean/combed hair, clean shaven or neatly trimmed beard, not eating from the
buffet table or drinking at the bar when the band has not been invited, 
showing up on time is
necessary.

When a band leader requires these, and many more stipulations of a sideman,
sometimes the  musician mistakes this for not being nice.

Being a leader of a bunch of musicians is kin to being half child 
psychologist and half kindergarten teacher.

--Bob Ringwald
Fulton Street Jazz Band