Vegas??

[CashSax]

anyone there?? how's the scene these days??

[Adam]

Since 9/11, things have slowed down a lot... When I moved here three years ago, I got a reasonable amount of work just subbing for guys. Now, there's not a whole lot going on for horn players. There are still some lounge gigs, and corporate gigs, but it all has been scaled back considerably. I am fortunate to be on one of the few shows with horn players, but besides that, I've only been playing 2-3 outside gigs a month if I'm lucky! The last couple of months have been a bit better, I imagine things will pick up eventually, this stuff is cyclical... However, right now there are a lot of really good players here not doing much. Guys who have been here a while say its as slow as it was after the union strike.

[CashSax]

Thanks Adam, with the way the world is right now things could only get better..I was there yrs ago when most of the lounges became keno parlors..I may see you one of these days..do you know David VanSuch..?

[Adam]

I haven't heard his name, but if he is still in town, I'm sure I know someone here that does...

[CashSax]

I moved here about 4 mos ago...It's great to be able to find working acts every night. Making good inroads so far and playing quite a few different places, sometimes actually getting paid. 8)

[Adam]

Cash, where are you playing? I would like to come hear you play and get your number. I might be able to pass some work your way... Things should really start picking up in a month or so.

[CashSax]

Hey Adam.. taking a little hiatus getting my pad togeter and finishing moving. Been playing Cafe Nicolle w/Early Clover, Jamming at Capozollis, The Strat showcase Mons,Skyline on Boulder a few fri/sats and quite a few other spots.Still getting my feet wet, I can be reached at (702)524-2661.

[Nefertiti]

You guys ever hear of Rocco Barbado? I remember him as a junior high kid when I was in High School. He was pretty good even in junior high. Just wondering what he ended up doing?

[Adam]

Cash, I'll give you a ring sometime and see if we can hook up... I can't make it down to the Stratoshpere on Monday since I have that big band gig (at Murphy's) after the show that night... I haven't heard of Cafe Nicolle, where is that?

Nefertiti, how strange you should ask... To my knowledge, Rocco is still here, although I haven't seen him in a year or so. He has been playing with Steve Lee's group (a fusion band), usually at the Station properties. If you know him from his junior high days, we must be from the same area... I grew up in Ithaca, and used to be at all the same jazz band competitions with Rocco (I think we were in the same year of school) from junior high through my last year of high school. He was my "arch rival" at all those events for the solo awards (he he - that's funny to think about now...). He's a great player and a real nice guy. I was surprised when I bumped into him here (Las Vegas) a few years ago.

[Nefertiti]

It's no mistake that your nemesis is in the same town. You must battle to the death. There can be only one!!! :twisted:
I'm from Baldwinsville NY(Near Syracuse) Went to Ithaca college for a few years. Beautiful town. Except in the winter that is. I had a lot of fun there.(What I remember of it anyway) Like most college kids I had a little to much to drink at times. :shock: Do you know Steve Brown?

[Adam]

I am familiar with Baldwinsville... We were probably in Ithaca at the same time too. I was at Cornell from '86-'90 before moving to New York. I knew a few guys from Ithaca College and did know Steve. I visited my parents in November and had enough winter the week I was there to last me the season...

[MattC]

I was in Vegas for the Holidays (my folks live in Henderson) and Roco was playing at the Bellagio. I tried finding some decent jazz venues but I had no real luck.

I'm going back in the middle of February for a week. Any places I should check out?

[CashSax]

Adam, I heard the Lab band at Murphy's last mon..very impressive were you on Alto or Tenor??

[Adam]

That figures... Sorry, I wasn't there at all Monday. I didn't find out until 6 PM that night I wasn't doing it. Mike goofed and forgot to call me. The past month or so I've been in for Billy Root on bari. He was recovering from a concussion. The sax section actually rotates a bunch of different guys. I've played 2nd alto and 2nd tenor as well (although bari is my chair of choice when available - it's really Billy's gig). Monday was the first time Charlie (lead alto) has been back in a while. The other alto player had been playing lead on and off, the 2nd tenor player had been playing 2nd alto, etc. The week before the entire section was different except for one guy! Everybody does it for fun. I'll most likely be down there next week whether I'm playing or not The only reason I didn't go down last week was because I've been busy repading my bari at night after the show. Just about done (I'm still waiting for a few pads to arrive).

I don't know if you got a chance to talk to Billy (bari player) at all. He's a real nice guy and has all sorts of great stories! He's played with a lot of guys over the years. He was in Kenton's band for a while... Used to babysit Michael and Randy Brecker...

Anyway, I'll try to give you a ring in the next few days. Maybe we can meet up at the Riviera Saturday night for Lon's band (1:30AM) My computer is going off to be serviced tomorrow (so I won't be online) and probably won't get it back for a week or so.

[CashSax]

Sounds good Adam, I did meet Billy..a nice gentleman, for sure..he was a little under the weather, he mentioned his concussion but his Bari sounded great under the section. Lon 's a possibility, give a call anytime..