[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Standards, why not?

[Paul Kurtz Jr]

Jim, you can go right on preaching. The people paying the bills have a right to ask for and want stuff. But, just as importantly, if we give them new listens to the stuff they hear and have loved, they will not only stay current with the music, but they’ll also maybe extend the market by bringing somebody else the next time. I’m playing this morning at a church and when calling friends of mine to remind them, they said, “Yes, we’ve been looking forward to this for weeks!” Then they mentioned a couple of songs. Now, this is a couple who just got off of a 7-day very nice cruise and yet, they were looking forward to our music. 
Paul Kurtz Jacksonville, FL
On Oct 15, 2014, at 4:59 AM, Jim Kashishian <jim at kashprod.com> wrote:

> (Please excuse this email which could be construed as "preaching", but is
> not really intended as that!)   :>
> 
> The original subject asked as to why some songs become standards within our
> kind of music.  I find it interesting that some musicians don't like to play
> certain songs just because they are "so standard", or always requested by
> the audience.
> 
> We finished our gig last night with The Saints (voluntarily!), and someone
> from the audience came up & thanked me for playing it saying "you know some
> bands in New Orleans actually charge to play that song".  My feelings, the
> audience already paid about $18 per person just to get in the door, then
> paid for their drinks or food.  I get paid decently, and I'm there to
> entertain!  If The Saints does that, then I'll play it.
> 
> Same goes for Tiger Rag, Hello Dolly, What A Wonderful World, etc.  It's up
> to the musician to make the song fresh & exciting.
> 
> There you have it.  I'm quite happy to play all those tunes, and the reward
> is to see smiles on people's faces.  That's what music is all about.
> 
> Note:  before the Saints, our trumpeter sang Amapola (in Spanish, of
> course).
> 
> Jim
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