[Dixielandjazz] First tune of the set

[David M Richoux]

I think you are right on track with this - First song has to be more  
than just a "Warm-up" (but it does function that way, especially for  
brass players.) It needs to hook the audience, let them know about the  
band and their skill level, and entice them to stick around and  
listen, or even get up and dance!  Can't be too obscure or a "Show  
Stopper" but can't boring or a drag. The band has to know it, but it  
can't be just routine.

Some bands always start with the same song - a signature piece, but if  
you have a "regular audience" or steady fans they will eventually  
complain about hearing that same old song again...

This is really trick for "pick-up" bands - it can be really rough when  
the leader chooses a first song without knowing the skills of all the  
players!

After about 30 years together "And That's Jazz" rotates through a few  
favorite starting songs -  Canal Street and  New Orleans Shuffle seem  
to be chosen more often.

We have usually closed our performances with a medley of  "Battle Hymn  
of the Republic" (slow, then swinging, then slow) and a chorus of  
"Buddy Bolden."

Dave Richoux  (I don't get to make the call, but sometimes i can "wave  
off" what I think is a bad choice ;-)


On Jul 26, 2010, at 9:32 AM, Ken Gates wrote:

> Being more a listener than a player, I haven't had occasion to  
> select the
> opening tune for a set at a festival or concert.  Thinking about how  
> I would
> go about it with only my experience as a listener, I offer the  
> following thoughts---
>
> ...The opening tune is important to get audience attention and  
> musicians comfortable.
> ...Tempo would be medium with slight lean to fast.
> ...Tune would be without arrangement complexity---easy sailing from  
> start to finish.
> ...End with a rousing chorus.  (Maybe a key change too)
> ...Musicians should appear to be happy (hopefully they really are!)
>
> How do those of you who actually decide first tune see it?
>
> Ken Gates Ventura, Calif
>
> PS---Examples of tunes I would select (from dozens that I could  
> think of) are--
> Dreaming the Hours Away, Avalon, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,  
> Roseroom,
> etc, etc, etc.
>