[Dixielandjazz] Credibility

[Ministry of Jazz]

Shalom Jazz Fans,

Just a couple notes to chime into this chorus:

I find that it's good to put my best foot forward, but realistically. I want
people to know me and respect what I have done. But I want the real thing to
be in keeping with the image I project. Otherwise, there's much chance of
people being disappointed when they meet me rather than finding that I'm as
good as or better than they expected.

Reminds me of the many times in life when my late father, the quintessential
salesman, would oversell me to his friends. It would often happen that
someone who knew the field, whatever it was, and would think that my Dad's
stories sounded a little too good, would do some probing when he met me, and
discover that the truth is a somewhat deflated version of what my Dad had
told him. I always found that embarrassing, and would have preferred that
Dad give people a more accurate impression of me that would stand up when
they met me. This is what I try to do. I will, however, proudly display
those things that I have actually done.

For example, about 10 years ago, being new in Israel, I had the great
privilege -- being the only tenor banjoist in the country at the time -- to
be invited by the Jerusalem Symphony to play the banjo part, including a
brief solo, in Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess Overture". I did it, and it was a
thrill. Some time later, I was on a religious-oriented speaking tour in
Germany, and our German hosts, unbeknownst to me, billed me as "the banjoist
with the Jerusalem Symphony". I think this is exactly what Larry W and
others have been talking about, only it wasn't my fault. This led people to
expect who knows what ... a classical banjoist of international caliber? I'm
a pretty good player, but I have never had, nor is there such a thing as, a
steady gig with the symphony on banjo! I then had to set the record straight
at every stop on the tour. Oops!

Elazar
Doctor Jazz Dixieland Band
Tekiya Brass Ensemble
Jerusalem, Israel
www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
(02) 679-2537
050-723-3914