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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>Fellow djml poster
Marek and I were having a private discussion about my recent trip to
Armenia. I mentioned that at a cocktail party we attended (my wife, my son
& I) that there was a modern jazz group playing, but with a twist to it, as
they had someone playing a "tar", a traditional Armenian instrument (stringed
with a type of gord as a sound chamber). It was a very interesting blend
of two types of music, and the musicians were beyond belief!
Excellent!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>Since it was a
company (clients & employees) event...cocktails & stand-up dinner, you
can imagine that no one paid attention at all to the musicians. I
applauded every song, and a few followed my example. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>Marek asked me how
musicians put up with those situations. Having played many, many such
events myself, I can answer how I handle it. Maybe others willl have some
comments to make.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>I find that not
having to "please the audience"....knowing that you are only background music,
can be somewhat liberating. You can play tunes you want to play, even try
out new tunes if you have a few lead sheets already in place. So, the
whole gig can actually be fun if you try to have fun with your mates on the
stage. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>Granted it is not
the same as geting a tremendous roar of applause that you might get at a concert
or club. However, I try to get what I can out of each gig.
Since no one is really listening closely, you can try new things on the
ensemble, and reach out a bit on your solos. Mostly, I've had a good time
at those kind of gigs.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>I try not to fall
into the "oh, well, at least it pays the bills" attitude, because I don't want
my music to ever come to just that. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate a
good paying gig, and company gigs are usually just that! </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=359285716-03072016>It is nice, though,
when you see at least a small amount of people enjoying the music, and that is
why, when I'm part of the audience at that type of gig, I try to give a bit of
applause.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=359285716-03072016>Jim</SPAN></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>