[Dixielandjazz] Another Stake In The Heart Of Professional Musicians

[Stephen G Barbone]

Interesting viewpoints. Bob and Ed vs, Larry and Bill.

My two cents is that working relationships among musicians are just  
that and depend upon the personalities involved as well as hierarchy.

For example, when I was just starting out some players would cancel at  
the last minute in order to take a gig with someone who hired them  
more often. Then as I became their major employer, they would cancel  
other gigs to take mine.

But, being professionals, they always send a sub. Sending subs has  
been a time honored practice among jazz musicians for as long as I can  
remember and many of the top guys did so. Most band leaders let their  
regulars take a high paying gig outside, when offered because they  
(we) realize that "money" is what full time musicians need to survive.  
As long as they get a sub.

Our bass player worked with Buddy Rich in Philly for several runs.  
Once Buddy wanted to take a day off from playing drums and sing with  
the band. So he got his own sub, Chick Heany (spelling?) here, who he  
admired as a drummer. Chick was like the guitarist in Sweet and  
Lowdown. He couldn't handle playing in front of his idol, Buddy so he  
sent his own sub, a guy who when Buddy heard him at rehearsal  
immediately told to go home.

Buddy later asked Chick about it and Chick said he was nervous because  
he couldn't read.   Buddy put his arm around him and said, "Shit  
Chick, neither can I." Chick finally did the gig and backed Buddy for  
a couple of songs. (Especially after Sinatra who was also in town and  
musically,  a friend of Buddy's, confided to Chick that Buddy rushed,  
but that's another story)

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband