[lutemann]

Ok, so I play in a niche jazz band (traditional New Orleans jazz). We have a core duo that sounds pretty strong, but we can add a trombone and/ or tuba to make a trio or quartet. We are now looking for the "Big Gig". By that I mean five nights a week at a livable wage for at least a year. Our hunting ground is the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Pensacola. In the past I've gotten gigs by sending out a blurb to several hundred dives through Facebook. (See Blurb at bottom). But this is kind of inefficient. We've even been offered the "Big Gig" in New Orleans, but the pay was starvation wages. Currently, we have two to three semi-permanent, once a week gigs in our town along with a bunch of other one nighters. What we are looking for are some strategies for getting what we really want? Below is our blurb.

Our duo, The Dauphin Street Stompers, plays traditional New Orleans jazz. We play regularly at Wet Willies in Mobile and on the Perdido Queen river boat. You can hear a sample of our music here:

We can also add a third instrument for a bigger sound:

Since we are completely acoustic, we can move around freely. If interested, re-message me on Facebook or e-mail me at [email protected], and I will get right back to you. Thanks.

 

[Grumps]

A living wage performing a dying genre relegated to niche/theme amusement. You might be better off taking the low pay for the New Orleans gig, hope for supplemental tips and other jobs that you get from the exposure.

 

[buddy lee]

Ok, so I play in a niche jazz band (traditional New Orleans jazz). We have a core duo that sounds pretty strong, but we can add a trombone and/ or tuba to make a trio or quartet. We are now looking for the "Big Gig". By that I mean five nights a week at a livable wage for at least a year. Our hunting ground is the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Pensacola. In the past I've gotten gigs by sending out a blurb to several hundred dives through Facebook. (See Blurb at bottom). But this is kind of inefficient. We've even been offered the "Big Gig" in New Orleans, but the pay was starvation wages. Currently, we have two to three semi-permanent, once a week gigs in our town along with a bunch of other one nighters. What we are looking for are some strategies for getting what we really want? Below is our blurb.

Our duo, The Dauphin Street Stompers, plays traditional New Orleans jazz. We play regularly at Wet Willies in Mobile and on the Perdido Queen river boat. You can hear a sample of our music here:

We can also add a third instrument for a bigger sound:

Since we are completely acoustic, we can move around freely. If interested, re-message me on Facebook or e-mail me at [email protected], and I will get right back to you. Thanks.

In my area I know of nobody who has a standing five-night per week gig anywhere, especially playing any form of jazz. I know plenty of people who gig 3-4 nights per week but not 5 nights per week at the same place. Do those gigs still exist??

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

Musically you guys sound great, no comments. there. I would reshoot your video and stress how much fun you guys are and how much excitement you generate with a crowd. Also I don't play in your kind of situation but maybe matching outfits of whatever is "the style" so you are more distinct from your crowd. Lets assume that many people are going for your Big Gig. I'd venture to say that if the clubs are getting 2 or 3 nibbles a week (thats way conservative) what will stand out is .1 do they perosonally know you. 2. have they heard of you. 3. does you video convey you really entertaining a crowd 4. do you look professional? So in terms of being helpful. Id reshoot your video and go in person if possible to any club you really want to work at. It seems like in person and repeated attempts wins the gigs ususally. Good luck and I hope this was helpful K

 

[1saxman]

What Keith said, and another way of putting it is the old adage; 'Dress for the job you want, not the one you've got.' IOW, look like success whether that means tuxedo or bib overalls. Its show business - you won't make it in this business if you're not in it. I bet you guys have fun sometimes and do some goofing around - make that part of the act! You'll develop a 'schtick' that will define your group. Nothing new here, same thing since the first ape man started beating on a skin stretched over a giant turtle shell and people started grunting along with the beat - its an act! He started show business!

 

[lutemann]

Thanks for the tips. We should do another video. We have an interview tomorrow for more days on the boat we already play on one day a week. This may, or may not, be the big gig. Here's hoping. We also have a good contact at Bamboulas in New Orleans. We just have to catch the boss when he's not in his coffin (don't ask, it's New Orleans). We've got a pretty good schtick and are beginning to develop small vaudeville act to go along with the playing. A new video is needed.

 

[SuperAction80]

I'd look into agencies who book the style. I'd also expect to travel, as I can't think of any musician who is playing 5 nights a week performing in one style these days. You can stay busy being in multiple projects, but 5 days/week for a single band is virtually a pipe dream these days. Community Days, Wineries, and private events are guaranteed big money though. I would focus on them.

... If you do figure out how to pull that off, feel free to let the rest of us know.

 

[whaler]

Work smarter not harder. I have a steady Monday and Thursday, incredibly both are straight ahead jazz. The weekends are for the “money” gigs, cover bands, weddings, special events.
I’ve never liked to commit my weekends to any place unless they’re ok with me subbing the gig out.

 

[Fader]

A cruise gig is the most likely bet. Maybe a wallpaper gig at a nice restaurant... Here in Atlanta, I don't know of any room with the same band 5 nights a week, (very few even with live music 5 nights). Until last year, I worked in a band that played 4-5 nights every week - sometimes more. We did it with two, every other weekend gigs, a regular Thursday night spot, a Sunday Brunch gig, and the brewery circuit during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The breweries were a nice supplement because they were daytime gigs. There used to be a restaurant here with live jazz 5 nights a week, but it burned down years ago.

Your next big challenge is the "Living wage" requirement. My best year (in the past decade) playing live music only was about $30k plus 3 - 4 meals a week. There were no benefits, no insurance, and no hope for a raise. Without multiple streams of income, I never would have made it through.

Another thought is to find an independently wealthy woman who believes in your dreams. I never had much luck with that. I did find a woman who believes in me, but she is not wealthy...She is more of a magician.
You can give her any amount of money and she can make it vanish faster than a third world dictator.

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

LOL about the magician. K

A cruise gig is the most likely bet. Maybe a wallpaper gig at a nice restaurant... Here in Atlanta, I don't know of any room with the same band 5 nights a week, (very few even with live music 5 nights). Until last year, I worked in a band that played 4-5 nights every week - sometimes more. We did it with two, every other weekend gigs, a regular Thursday night spot, a Sunday Brunch gig, and the brewery circuit during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The breweries were a nice supplement because they were daytime gigs. There used to be a restaurant here with live jazz 5 nights a week, but it burned down years ago.

Your next big challenge is the "Living wage" requirement. My best year (in the past decade) playing live music only was about $30k plus 3 - 4 meals a week. There were no benefits, no insurance, and no hope for a raise. Without multiple streams of income, I never would have made it through.

Another thought is to find an independently wealthy woman who believes in your dreams. I never had much luck with that. I did find a woman who believes in me, but she is not wealthy...She is more of a magician.
You can give her any amount of money and she can make it vanish faster than a third world dictator.

 

[AddictedToSax]

Re: your blurb

Like any job application or resume, when he reads it the potential employer wants to know what you can do for him. Do you have a following that he can count on? You get the picture. He's interested in putting butts in the seats and keeping them there buying drinks. Your blurb should promise that.

I like the setting in the first video. The big paddle wheel in the background sets the mood.
Good luck.

edit

I just read the other posts after I made mine above. I agree with Keith on everything he said. The second video with the red sweats with the two foot drawstring hanging down and matching red tip bucket, sadly, makes you look like starving artists. Get some professional looking clothing.

If you can get the money together it would pay to hire a pro videographer. A talented one can make your band shine.

 

[lutemann]

As someone mentioned, it's what I can do for them that's important. A place that specializes in a New Orleans and/or 20s era mood/food, and does not rely on repeat customers, i.e. relies on tourism, would be perfect. For such a place, having different band every night is an unnecessary aggravation. It's easier to hire one band that they know the tourists are going to like. The problem is that most club owners aren't smart enough to know what their needs are.

 

[Grumps]

A place that specializes in a New Orleans and/or 20s era mood/food, and does not rely on repeat customers, i.e. relies on tourism, would be perfect.

I got that from the get go; hence why taking that gig in New Orleans and growing from there is probably your best option given the particulars. I've been on the steamboat Natchez down there a couple times, and they feature scaled down dixieland bands for each trip (two a day, I believe). The ones I've seen play though, are really, really good, and a bit more polished. But I get it that you're looking for maybe that same sort of thing in another town, thinking it might pay more. I just don't know. If you get an offer in New Orleans... that's where you want to be.

 

[lutemann]

Grumps:

New Orleans is kind of uneven in terms of pay. There are few jobs that pay very well. It's usually $50 a man plus tips. I'm sure the boats pay much better.

 

[lutemann]

A living wage performing a dying genre relegated to niche/theme amusement. You might be better off taking the low pay for the New Orleans gig, hope for supplemental tips and other jobs that you get from the exposure.

Grumps, I think the public is pretty sick of listening to two chord jazz bands where half the work is performed by the sound guy and the rest by the electronic equipment. Trad jazz is not dying, it's already dead, but "The history of art is the history of revivals"

 

[Tranechaser]

Your best bet is to marry a very wealthy 90 year old sugar mama that loves big band music

 

[whaler]

Your best bet is to marry a very wealthy 90 year old sugar mama that loves big band music

At my age 90 would be a cougar.

 

[turf3]

As someone mentioned, it's what I can do for them that's important. A place that specializes in a New Orleans and/or 20s era mood/food, and does not rely on repeat customers, i.e. relies on tourism, would be perfect. For such a place, having different band every night is an unnecessary aggravation. It's easier to hire one band that they know the tourists are going to like. The problem is that most club owners aren't smart enough to know what their needs are.

Well, do the research.

How many tourist joints are there in N.O. that cater to the tourist trade and feature live music most nights?

How many jazz bands are competing for that business?

I think the answer to that question will give you a hint as to how likely it is to secure a residency and how much such a gig is likely to pay ("not much" is the answer to both questions, I expect).

 

[jazzman1945]

At my age 90 would be a cougar.

:clock:

 

[lutemann]

Hey turf3, I'm pretty familiar with New Orleans. That city has its own problems from my point of view. The Gulf coast is a corridor of entertainment districts which we have been exploring. I think we'll have to keep trying until we stumble across the right venue. My experience is that the good gigs just seem to fall in your lap, but only after a lot of work.