[Dixielandjazz] Band loyalty

[Jerry Gordon]

The FSOC (Famous Symphony Orchestra Conductor) had to hire a trumpet
(substitute instrument of your choice) player for a special out-of-town
performance, and all the local union leader could come up with was a jazz
trumpeter. 

"I hate jazz musicians," said the FSCO. They're unreliable, unkempt,
uncooperative, can't read music, etc, etc. But if that's all you've got,
I'll have to take him."

The first day, JM (Jazz Musician) shows up 1/2 an hour early and is all
ready to play 10 minutes before they're ready to start, dressed very
professionally. He reads his way through the music flawlessly, and
cooperatively complies with all FSOC's instructions. Same thing happens all
week.

After the last rehearsal, FSCO says, "You've completely changed by
perception of JMs. You were always on time, dressed, nice, played well,
cooperated, etc, etc."

JM replies, "It was the least I could do, man. I can't make the gig
tomorrow."



-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Jack Mitchell
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:22 PM
To: Jerry Gordon
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Band loyalty

> Dear friends,
> Who will finish off this longish thread with the wonderful story about the

> jazzman reluctantly hired by a famous symphony orchestra for an important 
> upcoming concert?
> I don't recall it well enough to do so.
> Very kind regards,
> Bill.

Dear Bill,

I don't know your story re a jazzman and a symphony Orchestra, but I do know

the one where a swing band leader had an important recording session lined 
up. On the day everyone was ready and rearing to go when the wife of the 
lead trumpet player phoned in to say that her husband was desperately ill 
and couldn't make the date.

"What'll I do" wailed the bandleader. "I know" said one musician " a great 
trumpeter player, Joe Blow, lives just down the street - I'll go and get 
him" When he turns up the leader asks "Can you sight read?" "Sure says" Joe.

"Thank God" says the leader "Let's get started" So he taps his baton, counts

them in and away goes all the band except Joe Blow, who sits there looking 
at the music in front of him.

"Why aren't you playing?" yells the leader."Well" says Joe "I can't read it 
yet" "Waddya mean, you can't read it - you said you could sight read" shouts

the band leader. "I can" said Joe, "but not at first sight".

Best wishes
Jack Mitchell 


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