[Dixielandjazz] FW: The audience is dying, part 2

[Jim Kashishian]

I received a few emails, both private & on djml about my recent post on
about audiences dying out.  It was pointed out to me that I live in a
different world here in Spain where people still go out in the evenings.  I
realize that, and certainly recognize my good luck to be in a place where we
do have an audience still.
 
However, another aspect of my post concerned the (for some odd reason) nasty
word "entertainment", and that word was connected with the (worshipped) word
"art".  
 
In one post I received privately those two words were put together, as we've
seen before on this list, with a "vs." between them.  I can't for the life
of me understand why it needs to be "one or the other".  The two can live
happily together!  One name quickly pops to mind, due to recent posts on
DJML.....Tony Bennett.  He's got the art AND he has that happiness which
shows he's enjoying himself.  That's the entertainment part!  It doesn't
have to mean blowing whistles or wearing funny hats (although that can work
in certain bands!).  Didn't our listmate Bob Ringwald have such a band (the
Boondockers)?  And, how about Spike Jones?
 
I offer up a new phrase for djml:  how about "The Two E's"?  "Entertainment
+ Expertise"!  Play your horn to the best of your ability, and look like
you're enjoying yourself, at least!  
 
The other problem, of course, is having a place to do that, but I will leave
that to others to discuss.
 
Jim