What to play?

[Alexander]

I am curious whether you think it is okay to play only my own stuff at gigs? I usually just improvise around little melodies for the duration of my set and rarely play anything from books etc. Most of the gigs I do are cocktails so its quite laid back sort of dinner jazz stuff. I alternate between alto and soprano depending on my mood. However, I am about to start in an new area so have been giving my set a bit of thought. I am not keen on playing trad jazz or naff pop tunes but do you thing I should be incorporating that kind of thing in my work. I am quite new to the business so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Frank D]

Not sure how it is in the UK, but it's been my experience that with a few exceptions, people like to hear songs that they know, or at least are vaguely familiar. The exceptions are clubs that are specifically known for showcasing new music.

Maybe the European audience is more adventurous?

[gary]

Hi Alexander! Normally you are playing for the target audience and no one else. Coctail and dinner music is wallpaper. It is to provide a background pallett for conversation, to add a little visual class to an event and in no way compete with the social interaction going on. If your personal music fits the environment and doesn't stick out from the other music you are playing, go for it. On the other hand, if it does the opposite, save it for another day.

[JL]

You might want to incorporate a fev jazz standards or simple head arrangements to put some structure to the music. You can still play them as "wallpaper" if that's what the gig calls for, but as Frank says, folks do like to hear something they recognize at least vaguely.

[Transcriber-arranger]

5 : 1 :: Standards : Originals

[DanY]

It's been my experience that as long as you play at an acceptable volume (ie quiet) and look good, you can play anything. I play a weekly five hour gig at a hotel with a trio, and we have taken lately to playing afro-beat tunes.
No-one notices except the staff, and they like it. (if the staff get get bored, say good-bye to your gig).

[Keith Ridenhour]

Good point Dan. In a few years all the people alive when the real book tunes were popular tunes will be dead. (most are 50s and 60s era??) I agree that its about feel and volume. Our band plays standards for the first eating set of a wedding and we do it too damn loud. Ruins the point? You just can't take the "blues" out of a blues band. I think it's actually nice to play where you can hear everybody cleanly (accoustic intrument talking here) and quietly. A standard now and again can't hurt. Makes people feel that they are educated when they recognise a "jazz" tune. Like Dan said, staff and who hired you are all you have to worry about. K

[maceorules]

whatever ya play...it gots ta be fonkay!