[Dixielandjazz] Elazar's Dilemma

[David Richoux]

As a "regular" sideman in several Bay Area bands (and many times a  
fill-in with other bands) over the last almost 30 years I have  
noticed two camps on the "substitute issue."  Some (rare) bandleaders  
will let their regular players get replacements, most prefer to do it  
themselves. It may be because there is a large pool of musicians to  
choose from in this area, but most of the calls I get are from the  
bandleaders.

I always try to be most available for the "main band" that I have  
been in since 1983, but if I DO make a commitment to  a fill-in (with  
enough lead-time) it is rarely an issue.

Dave Richoux
(by the way - if you are in the area - my "main band" is playing on  
Sunday, September 9, 2007, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, the Napa Valley  
Dixieland Jazz Society at the Lodge, 2840 Soscol Avenue, in Napa. )

On Sep 3, 2007, at 4:31 PM, Mike Woitowicz wrote:

> Elazar:
>
> 1. First priority is to satisfy the customer. You did that. As a  
> band leader, you carry the negotiating responsibility -- not the  
> sideman.
>
> 2. Fire the sideman. He is responsible for bringing equipment that  
> works, as well as his talent.
>
> I've had similar situations. A tuba player called me 1 week before  
> a Mardi Gras gig and said his regular band got a job ("I've played  
> with this band for 15 years and I have an obligation to be there"),  
> and he was cancelling his date with me. I had booked him about 6  
> weeks before the event and he cancelled a week out. Of course,  
> everyone else was working that week, so I had to bring in a  
> substitute from about 100 miles away, at premium pay to cover  
> travel. I ate the cost and did the gig.
>
> I told him it was his responsibility to find an acceptable  
> substitute. He refused, and said he didn't want to get into a  
> pissing contest with me on the issue.
>
> It's part of the business of being a leader. I have taken the tuba  
> player off of my list, and have spread the word around that he is  
> unreliable.
>
>
> Mike Woitowicz
> The Banjo Barons Ragtime Band
> The Dixie Barons Dixieland Band
> www.banjomusic.biz
>