| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Scot needs some info | |
| Scot -- 05/19/2007, 08:04:34 -- #35149 | |
| Ok, I don't ask for much from the folks that use this site, in fact I usually ask for nothing apart from just being decent to each other (and you guys are most of the time!) Now, what I need is some information. Now that my dog is gone and apparently is not coming back, my personal schedule is once again wide open for long term piano gigs. So, if anyone has any contacts at all regarding people who book in Asia or Europe, let me know. Yes, I know, I'm asking you to create more competition for the gigs you might be going after, but my old agent simply does not do soloists any longer and I've been out of the international game long enough that nearly all my old contacts have moved on to other things. I don't need solid leads, I can do some footwork, but any info is better than no info. Thanks- Scot | |
| Jazz+ -- 05/19/2007, 11:47:15 -- #35149 | |
| I like Bob James playing. I have the first acoustic trio album with Christian McBride on bass, the one with the 'Jody Grind' by Horace Silver. I started playing that tune after hearing their version. | |
| Bud -- 05/19/2007, 14:16:53 -- #35149 | |
| Scot said: Now, what I need is some information. Now that my dog is gone and apparently is not coming back, my personal schedule is once again wide open for long term piano gigs. Are you serious, Scot? | |
| CynBad -- 05/19/2007, 20:44:03 -- #35149 | |
| Of course he's serious. What is wrong with you people? | |
| Kai -- 05/20/2007, 01:37:55 -- #35149 | |
| Don't know much but here's my 'tuppenceworth' http://www.partysounds.co.uk/musicians_ads/northwest.php Cruises around the Med are "the latest thing" in this part of the world. - suggest searching for bookings for these. Can't think of anything else just now. | |
| jmderay -- 05/20/2007, 16:13:37 -- #35149 | |
| What's your idea exactly ? tour Europe (or Asia) ? stay at one place only ? how long ? 1 week ? 6 months ? make big money or just get decent opportunities ? do you have an idea of what you plan to do, or is it still an eventuality in your mind ? I second Kai for the Med Cruises (Costa cruises, MSC cruises) ... Maybe you could try to contact Marc Peillon (an excellent bassist) in charge to book the best players around here at the Note Bleue in Monte-Carlo, he for sure is a reference to link you with the local jazz community. 2 links for him : http://www.lanotebleue.mc/concert.html and mpeillon06@numericable.fr don't know if it can help you ... if you need more info about that, or if I can help you to join this contact, write to me at jmderay@free.fr Good luck. | |
| dalty52 -- 05/20/2007, 16:25:03 -- #35149 | |
| I have some friends who go through ProShip, and they have gotten some nice cruises. I am signed on with them, but haven't been able to go yet. Might give 'em a whirl. | |
| Scot -- 05/21/2007, 11:35:33 -- #35149 | |
| Bud- of course I'm serious, why not? That's how I started my career, so I was spoiled. Playing the same place every night for 3-15 months at a time. It never gets boring as long as you're trying new music all the time, either. As for my dog, yes, she's gone. I couldn't leave her for a long term gig, but now she's not around, so I can leave. Hard to explain if you aren't tight with your dog or don't have one. jmderay- What I'm most interested in is some nightclub or room in a hotel in Asia or Europe where I'd be there for four or so months. The money isn't a huge concern, and it's a lot more fun playing in Europe/Asia than around here simply because people tend to appreciate the music more outside of the US. Thanks for the info about the cruise ships, sounds like something to check out. I left my old agent an email this weekend mentioning that I was going to start hustling hotels directly for gigs and I think he's a bit worried about that, so he is going to call me tomorrow and we'll chat. I'd much rather have an agent take care of everything, no question about that! Thanks for the tips about the cruises, I'll check those out as well. | |
| Bud -- 05/21/2007, 12:47:22 -- #35149 | |
| Thanks for the reply, Scot! The thing is I never had the chance to have animals precisely because I was touring almost constantely outside my town... Good luck. | |
| rewsnat -- 05/21/2007, 13:04:37 -- #35149 | |
| haha... funny. Im a musician who has been playing in Malaysia for a few years, and I was just discussing with my friend earlier today about how i wish that i could play jazz in a hotel or club in US, Cos the states being the birth place of jazz music and everything..and how US should be the centre of the universe in a jazz musician perspertive of cz..haha The money isn't a huge concern it will be a huge concern, hotels and clubs all over Asia have been outsourcing musicians from philipines who r willing to play 5 sets per nite six days per week for a monthly salary of roughly USD700. it's a lot more fun playing in Europe/Asia than around here simply because people tend to appreciate the music more outside of the US. after searching high and low for years, i've found that 90% of the places in my country where the management is willing to hire a jazz band, is when they are trying to cater for the expatriate customers market, mainly from US.. ahha but if u still insist on coming to my "beautiful" country, i think there will plenty of gigs waiting for you. after all, in my country, a person with your music prowess would step into the music scene here with all the local musicians whispering to each other "God is in the house" ... | |
| nihonjin -- 05/29/2007, 16:30:47 -- #35149 | |
| I think you're biggest chance would be in easthern europe or maybe at some holiday resort in Italy and france. In the north part of europe it is really tough. So many amazing musicians and few gigs ( bascially there is just too many skilled musicians) | |
| Scot -- 06/01/2007, 08:46:18 -- #35149 | |
| One of the nice things, for me at least, in getting gigs in resorts hotels is that it's not all about skill on the instrument. This is important for everyone who wants to play music for a living. Part of being a pro is being the kind of person that people enjoy hanging out with, friendly, honest, uplifting, courteous, good hygiene, etc etc... You can be the best player in the world and never get a gig because of things not related to music. So, there are great musicians all over the place, but only a few of them can hold down a long term gig where you're playing in the same place 5 to 7 nights a week without starting to feel like, "Hey man, I should be on stage somewhere, not in this stinking piano bar playing for all these drunks." Once that attitude (or something like it) appears, the gig is basically over, it's terminal and only a matter of time before the musician leaves or is asked to leave. I guess the moral of the story is when you're going for the resort gigs and such, not only are you competing on a basic musicianship level, you are competing on a social level as well. But isn't that life? | |
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