[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Audiences

[Stephen G Barbone]

> Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com> wrote
>
> As I've stated many times before, and I am sure that I have different
> experiences from many on the list due to my elected home in Spain,  
> we don't
> actually see "jazz audiences", nor do we seek them out.  What we do  
> have are
> audiences in general....people!  People with smiling faces who go  
> away from
> our concerts & gigs maybe thinking "I liked that", even without  
> necessarily
> knowing details of what they heard.
>
> We are at a small downtown Madrid club at the moment for 9 nights.
> Everynite, when we arrive, every single table is reserved...even  
> last nite,
> a Monday!  Those at the tables are more than doubled by the amount  
> of people
> standing once we start playing.  Very few know the songs we play,  
> nor even
> possibly the style, but they are enthusiastic.  Their opinions, many  
> times
> expressed to us, is how much they enjoyed themselves.  That's good  
> enough
> for me!

Dear Jim:

Most of us in the USA can only wish for the experiences you describe.  
We don't find steady gigs like that in clubs. And so we scramble for  
audience. Here is something our band does in order to generate young  
audiences at Jazz Society gigs which usually draw an older audience of  
about 120 people. They are seeking younger audiences in order to  
remain viable..

In addition to inviting the local swing dancers from dance clubs  
within 100 miles of the venue, I sent notes like below to Music  
Departments at local Colleges in the area: The prospects are easily  
identified via google search.

From: Stephen G Barbone BSJB etc.

To: (name of Professor who teaches a Jazz studies course)

Subject: A Special PA Jazz Society Concert

Dear Dr (listed by name):

On Sunday April 29, the Pennsylvania Jazz Society will host a special  
concert in nearby Easton PA. The Barbone Street Jazz Band will perform  
New Orleans Jazz, Swing and Dixieland.

Why is that special? Three out of six in the band are over 70 and have  
worked with some historical jazz players.

For starters our bassist, 81 years old, played in groups alongside:  
Lester Young, Ben Wester, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Kai Winding, J.J.  
Johnson, Clifford Brown, Mel Torme, Charlie Ventura,  and a host of  
others,

Our guitarist, 75,  played with Sam Butera and The Witnesses, backing  
up Louis Prima, toured with Peggy Lee, was with the Harry James Band,  
and later with Fabian, Bobby Rydell  and Frankie Avalon;

I'm 78 and early on, before I took a day gig in 1962, played with  
Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge and a host of Dixieland players in NYC,  
as well as a time or two with Thelonious Monk and two nights with  
Sidney Bechet in Paris. I started to play again in 1992 after  
retirement.

The music we play is a swinging, solo oriented version some of the pre  
bop styles and might interest your students  regarding the development  
of pre bop jazz. They are welcome to chat with the old boys about how  
jazz was 50 - 60 years ago.

When: April 29
Time:  2 PM to 5 PM
Where: Easton Moose Lodge, 3220 Fox Hill Road, Easton (Palmer) PA 18045

Concert information is also on their website:  http://www.pajazzsociety.org/

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
Leader / Clarinet
Barbone Street Jazz Band
<http://www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband>

The reply from 3 local colleges was positive. One example below:

"Hi, Steve.

This looks like a cool program. I will be sure to let our students  
know and pass along all of the information.

Sincerely"

(name of teacher)


I am looking forward to seeing if we will generate attendance by any  
young folks. This kind of direct marketing can easily be used by other  
bands in similar situations. Especially if you have older players and  
can tie in first hand experiences with some of the players the kids  
learn about in "jazz class".

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband