[Dixielandjazz] Jazz & Wineries

[Stephen G Barbone]

> Dixiejazzdata <dixiejazzdata at aol.com>
>
>
> Some of us also Play Wineries often but for Very Good Money and Good  
> Food and Usually get a Case of Good Wine as a tip. I would never  
> list the names of them because some bands would just call them and  
> undercut us in price & quality just to get a gig.

Indeed, Bart.  Here in  the Pennsylvania, USA, there are 6 wineries in  
the Philadelphia Metro area that sponsor numerous musical programs  
throughout the summer months. Usually on Friday nights, with dinner  
wine etc., for a ticket fee averaging $20.

They used to be well paid gigs for musicians but have since  
degenerated into low payers because so many musicians are willing to  
gig on the cheap. We only play at one now, when in past we would do  
several. I can even remember a decade ago when gigging as a sideman  
for Doug Finke's Independence Hall Jazz Band, he got paid well enough  
to bring Jon Erik Kellso down to Philly to make such a gig. No more.

Playing on the cheap seems to be a rapidly growing disease among  
musicians of all genres, not just jazz musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband