[Dixielandjazz] Early Jazz Bands and musicians who read

[Mike]

Thank you Larry. My college my the Denver campus of the 
University Of Colorado. Denver is a pretty big city that is 
always growing. This year's group has about nine pieces. We have 
a vocalist, a guy who doubles on guitar and banjo, bass, piano, 
drums, trumpet, clarinet/tenor sax, trombone and violin.

The violinist is new but she can read well. We usually meet once 
a week on Tuesday evenings. For us we would like more gigs other 
than just the usual summer festivals. The problem is that in my 
city the music is being played as much as I'd like to see. The 
Denver Jazz Club is our main supporters and they hold monthly 
concerts. We get to play there once a year.

Mike


Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis wrote:
> Those are some excellent comments Mike.  How big is the group?  Small 
> college town or big city?
> 
> If you have the opportunity to play together often that's exactly what 
> happens if the musicians are good.
> 
> When I was in college I was sort of thrust into the real world because I 
> had to make bucks to support myself and family so I didn't have the 
> luxury of doing a lot of playing with a not for profit or fun group.  
> While Trad was hitting big in some parts of the country it wasn't where 
> I went to school. It was a lot more R&R / Country.  The town was too 
> small to support many bands so we were on the road every weekend
> 
> The gigging scene in St. Louis was a whole lot of Society stuff.  Trad 
> and Dixie were available in clubs but I was working all the time so I 
> just didn't get to go hear it.
> 
> The important thing no matter what the tunes are is that musicians learn 
> to improvise on a chord line in a style.  Those skills will last you a 
> lifetime.
> Good Luck
> Larry