[Dixielandjazz] Band Loyalty

[Stephen G Barbone]

Hey Bob.

Why are you raggin on me? I'm not raggin on you.  I haven't sight read  
a chart in 20 years. Not because I can't but because I chose not to  
bother with that chore any more. I play for MY enjoyment, not because  
I want to stick my head in a chart and prove musical virtuosity.   
Obviously I would neither be able to sight read your charts, nor want  
to because that is not my kind of jazz. Fine for those who like that  
stuff, but not for me

I am not upset that you and other bands chose complicated arrangements  
as your thing, and do not rag on those who do. Good for you. I merely  
agreed with Bert that among the WORKING PROFESSIONAL MUSiCIANS, the  
musicians gravitate to the higher paying gigs whenever possible  
because that is the way they make their living.

And stated that if a muso takes a gig he is obligated to play that gig  
unless the leader allows him to beg off. And in my case, said that  
often I will allow a regular to get off a gig when a higher paying gig  
becomes available, and I use a sub. Same goes for my regulars when one  
of my gigs gets booked and they have a prior booking. They ask  
permission to play mine, and usually it is given.

In your case, your band has a particular sound which your audience  
appreciates and I can readily understand why you do not want to  
deviate from it. And therefore why you do not want subs. In my case,  
with a much more diversified audience, I am interested only in  
providing good music which they will appreciate. Thus I can book  
several bands, with various types of jazz, in various venues using no  
arrangements at all except hand signals on stage, or a quick  
discussion before we start playing.

There is a big difference between the way OKOM is presented in the  
East, and out there in the West. Here, we go after the general  
audience, not the blue hairs in jazz societies. Or the so-called  
knowledgeable fans. Thus we play more soloist oriented OKOM because  
that's how our audiences hear most jazz genres these days. So please  
don't look down your nose at professional jazz musicians and how they  
operate. Instead, celebrate the difference.

BTW. if you want a challenge? Come East and we'll do a concert  
together. Say at the Ocean City NJ Music Pier in front of 750 people.  
If my band can 't blow yours off the stage, based upon audience  
reaction, I'll pay your way.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband



On Mar 25, 2011, at 2:47 AM, Bob Romans wrote:

> Hi Steve...I stick by my guns on this one!
> We can jam with the best of
> anyone, but we also use some charts that are very well written and  
> the best
> pros in the world aren't going to be able to sit in with us and read  
> some of
> the charts with all of the repeats, skips, key changes, breaks, etc,  
> unless
> he's cross-eyed and can read the road-map on the bottom of the page  
> while
> reading his/her part!
> I'm issuing you an invitation to sit in with us
> sometime and  read the chart perfectly and not stumble before the  
> gig is over!
> Back-up your big-talk, my friend.
>
> Warm regards,
> Bob Romans,
> 209-747-1148
> 1617 Lakeshore Dr.,
> Lodi, California,95242,
> www.cellblock7.biz
> "Puritanism - The haunting fear
> that someone, somewhere,
> may be happy."
>



Steve Barbone

www.barbonestreet.com
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband