[Dixielandjazz] Sit-ins

[art wood]

Yes Larry I see your point and agree with you about bands that welcome sit-ins.

I was just reflecting on my personal viewpoint that I don't like to sit it.

I especially don't like jam sessions for the reason that they can venture off into unorganized chaos.

Perhaps part of my reasoning is that I see my limitations as a player and prefer playing in more comfortable situations where I don't have to strain my brain too much.

Sincerely, 
Art

PS I can recall one incident in a festival where a very good player grabbed my valve tbone and started playing. He screwed up my valve alingment and really pis..d me off. Just because he's a hotshot from a popular band didn't give him the right to do that. No it wasn't Alex Meixner.





-------- Original message --------
From: Larry Garrett <lrg4003 at aol.com> 
Date:  
To: artwoo at aol.com 
Cc: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com 
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Sit-ins 
 
And, Art, there are other bands who welcome sit-ins for whatever reason they may have.
I would never approach a group playing highly arranged pieces or strictly playing on charts.
I could read them but I wouldn't really know them and that would undoubtedly interfere with the performance.  I never go in expecting let alone demanding to be asked.  And I listen to the group to determine if my style or capability would  match up with theirs.  I also spend money in the establish, actually listen to the band playing (when so many people don't) and generously tip the band before I leave.   

I've been and in and led bands where we get requests for sit-ins. I gauge the situation based on the audience that evening, the venue, etc.  And from what I can glean from the person.  More often than not I've been pleasantly surprised.  And, like you and Bob, I will certainly invite up musicians that I know in the area.

And, when it doesn't work---like the night a vocalist did a nice job on "All of Me" then wanted to do a little something by "Norah Jones in E"----it's very painful.

It's your band.  You should always call it the way you want to.

Larry Garrett
KC Clarinet


-----Original Message-----
From: art wood <artwoo at aol.com>
To: Larry Garrett <lrg4003 at aol.com>
Cc: dixielandjazz <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tue, May 7, 2013 3:45 pm
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Sit-ins

I thoroughly agree with Bob that sitting in, at least for me, is a no-no.
Professional bands put a lot of effort in preparing and presenting their music 
and developing the necessary chemistry to make the band succeed.
It seems arrogant to me to approach a group and try to impose yourself on what 
they are doing.
I am always befuddled when a vocalist or instrumentalist comes up to our 
bandstand expecting us to immediately comply with his or her song...to me it's 
generally a sign of an ego in search of attention and invariably a recipe for a 
trainwreck.
Of course if you are an exceptional player like Mike Vax you will be invited to 
play (maybe) but even then it may be best to remain part of the audience.
Respectfully,
Art Wood
www.Arthurwood.net






-------- Original message --------
From: Robert Ringwald <rsr at ringwald.com> 
Date:  
To: art wood <artwoo at aol.com> 
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com> 
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Sit-ins 
 
Personally, I never, never, never ask to sit in and usually decline when asked. 



I played piano for a living for many years. The last thing I want to do is play. 
I am there to listen. 



However, in about 1986 or so when I was visiting Sydney, Bob Barnard asked me to 
sit in. I don’t know why he asked, but I did. 



For the most part, I don’t let musicians sit in with my band unless they are a 
very, very good player. For instance, when John or Bill Allred, Jon-Eric Kellso, 
Allan Vache, Dan Levinson, etc come in, of course I would ask them to sit in. 
But as a rule I don’t like sit-ins in an organized band. 



Cheerio from jolly ol’ London.



-Bob Ringwald

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