[Dixielandjazz] Festival scheduling.

[Lowell Busching]

Am I the only one that notices that at almost every festival in the US 
and some Jazz parties, there is almost always at least one or two groups 
that are assigned to play the last set in the evening and the first set 
the next day?  Sometimes in the same venue!

This can not be just an accident. Are there any festival schedulers on 
the list that can explain this to me or even want to try?  At Jazz 
Parties, that seldom start before noon, this is not a big problem 
usually.  However, at festivals were the last set finishes after 
midnight and the first is at 10 AM, is the turn around time really fair?
I am not aware any bands ask for this scheduling in advance?

Just who ARE the schedulers?  They are often hard to pin down.

Do the schedulers, who may not be musicians, but only long time 
volunteers or jazz experts of one kind or another, think the musicians 
are going to leave their instruments on stage, and by doing so it will 
make the start in the morning easier for them or the sound people?  I 
would not think so!  Few musicians would leave their prized instruments 
anywhere near a festival stage overnight, unattended  or even in the 
often furnished "instrument room".

Schedulers. Pity the poor Sousaphone player who must lug his tuba from 
the upper floor of a hotel, in a standard elevator, two times in a few 
hours etc.  Just a thought.

Did that happen to Westy at the Sweet and Hot festival on Labor Day 
weekend?  I am not sure, but I do remember seeing him doing the dip to 
get in the elevator several times. :-) Quite a sight.

Ah sweet mysteries of life!

Mad Dog