Started a trio, no to get gigs: Looking for advice

[Vagrog]

Hello,

I've recently started a jazz trio (Bass, Guitar, and myself on sax). We're three university students home for the summer, and though our chops are solid, and our repetoire equally so, I haven't started looking for 'gig's yet.

We're looking at the classier restaurants in town, not really at bars per se. It's a city of about 100 000, and there is virtually no real competition here.

Basically what I'm looking for is advice from all you have been there, done this, on how to present yourself to a restaurant owner/manager, what kind of rates might be appropriate, and what to expect as far as conditions go, etc. This will be a first for all of us, and I'd like to be the best first impression I can make it.

Any advice and tips are greatly appreciated,

Martin

[TMadness1013]

Look for restaurants that already offer live music. Then I would ask to schedule a meeting time with the manager & explain that you're just looking to have some fun and perform in a nice elegant restaurant rather than a bar. Bring along a CD of your group (doesn't have to be done in a studio or anything fancy like that - just something to give the manager an idea of what you sound like) & then go from there!

You can work out the details like $$$ once you've been offered the job :)

[whaler]

Yeah, do what most "semi-pro" musicians do. Go to a place that already has live music, ask the owner what he is paying the band, then say you'll do it for less. Or you could tell the owner that the band plays at another place too so he'll get mad and fire them. I've seen both of these scenarios. I think you are better off digging up your own place to play. Just tell them, so and so are having music down the street and they are doing well, but we can draw more people. A town of 100,000 should be able to support a few places.

[Sasquatch]

One of the tools I use when looking for new places to book the band is the dreaded "promo-pack". It's a total pain in the posterior to put together, and costs a bit, but is worth it in the long run.

Our pack consists of a demo CD, business card, short bio info, press clippings, and a letter sized promo poster.

Restaurants are fine, but I wouldn't dismiss bars out of hand. Those are the people that will actually listen to you.

[Vagrog]

Well, bars are iffy due to the fact that I'm underaged. Gotta be 19 to play at bars, I think. But keep going with the advice, that's great. My dad runs a project studio of sorts which is actually quite impressive, so a demo CD is no problem. Business cards are a must, good suggestion.

It's basic stuff like this I'm looking for, and some "what the heck do I say" so I don't totally screw things up right off the bat. If this was solely based on playing ability, we're good enough to play anywhere in this city (not being conceited, this city is terrible), but of course business skills are required, so...

That's where you guys come in :p

Martin