[tonyz]

I have already done the "search" and I can't find any answers so....here's a new post.

I have formed a "Little Big Band" (15 pieces) and we are starting to get some "exposure".

What is a "fair" fee to ask when people inquire about our services.

Tony Z.

 

[Carl H.]

Need more info.
Level of players/experience
How much of a library you have
Sound equipment & guy to run it
Market - Reno NV or Left Knee AR
Competition

 

[Grumps]

Whatever you think they'll be able to pay.

 

[saxxsymbol]

would depend on your level of professionalism and what the venue is and how many people are attending and how long you play.
for instance if you are playing for two hours in a mobile home park for 100 people then $ 150 to $500 would be appropriate. For a large park with 300 people attending , then $ 500 to $ 1500 would be appropriate, depending on your level of performance and musicianship.
for small venues we charge $ 250 per hour of music. for large ones or weddings its $ 500 per hour of music. that rate is for my big band or my 5 piece combo. we give a nice show with professional level playing with a quality sound system and no light show.the show quality is the same no matter the rate.we feel we are always auditioning for the next job.

 

[Agent27]

You should be able pay everyone a MINIMUM of $80 - $100. So that means you lowest figure has to be at least $1200 - $1500. Or you can just ask the guys in the band what amount they're willing to work for and multiply that by 15.

Obviously, milk what you can get. I've played gigs for a $100 one week and played the same music with the same band the next week and make $450. My my little big bands are usually 9 or 10 pieces.

Get the event info before you quote a price. If it's a wedding at the fanciest(read:most expensive) hotel in town then go high. If it's a small club or community concert go low.

I've play for weddings that easily cost $100,000+. For them, giving $4,000 to the band is nothing.

 

[JSaxMiller]

Peter Alexander has an excellent book ,"How to keep you band booked a year in advance" , that covers the business aspects of running a band. What to charge really depends on the local market and your place in it. The more demand for your band the more you can charge. In Jersey, the going rate for a Wedding band was $350 per man, double for the leader. That doesn't mean you pay your sidemen the full amount (usually $150 to $200). You have to figure in your overhead.

Jsax

 

[BarrySachs]

I have already done the "search" and I can't find any answers so....here's a new post.

I have formed a "Little Big Band" (15 pieces) and we are starting to get some "exposure".

What is a "fair" fee to ask when people inquire about our services.

Tony Z.

Question: Why is a 15 piece band a "Little Big Band"? That is a standard big band. The Ellington band was 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones and 3 rhythm. So is the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and many others. Sure, some bands have a 4th trombone and/or a rhythm guitar but 15-17 is pretty typical.

Anyway, I have a big band and a 9-piece group. We play in the NYC area. If I'm asked about a private party or corporate event, I quote a price that gives me a nice profit and covers the salary for band members. I also try to "build into the budget" costs for renting a piano if there is none at the venue.

In New York, a professional musician will expect a minimum or $300 for a private party on a Saturday night. A night club gig during the week might only pay $80 (plus drinks and food) for two 1-hour sets.

So, a 15-piece band on a Saturday night for 4 hours would cost about $5200. That's $300 per man for 14 players and $1000 for you, a player/leader. In the bigger cities, you can charge up to $10k for a band like this in a fancy hotel for rich people. If you're playing a dance at a Moose Lodge for seniors on a Sunday, you might have to charge WAY less.

Good luck!

 

[BarrySachs]

Here is what the local union in NYC (local 802 AF of M) sets as minimum scales for private parties.

In NYC we call them "club dates" as in private country club.

I think in Boston they are called "casuals" and in other areas "GB" or "general business" gigs.

Obviously you can only pay and charge what your local market will bare. In today's world we have to compete with DJs, student and amateur groups, and so on.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[awholley]

What is "preheat"?

 

[martysax]

What is "preheat"?

Before you cook, you must get up to the proper temperature.

 

[Agent27]

Before you cook, you must get up to the proper temperature.

But that's called heating. What's preheating? Heating something before you heat it? It like pre-boarding an airplane. You get on the plane before you get on the plane.

 

[Carl H.]

Pre heating is getting the oven to temperature before you put the food in. Sometimes you put the food in a room temperature oven and then turn the oven on.

 

[hakukani]

But that's called heating. What's preheating? Heating something before you heat it? It like pre-boarding an airplane. You get on the plane before you get on the plane.

Preheating is what you do to the oven to bring it up to temperature so you can cook your gastronomical delight.

Pre-boarding is for 1st class passengers, so they can be serviced before the coach passengers board.

 

[Al Stevens]

"Preheat" in this context means playing extra time before the regular event. If the piano player is expected to play alone for cocktail hour, for example, that's a preheat. The term is used to distinguish it from overtime.

To qualify: this is how I remember it, and it might be a local 802 thing. I've not heard it used outside of that jurisdiction.

 

[DanPerezSax]

You get club dates through the union? Maybe I should join. I've just never been on a club date and heard that anyone got referred through the union.

 

[Agent27]

Pre heating is getting the oven to temperature before you put the food in. Sometimes you put the food in a room temperature oven and then turn the oven on.

Considering your avatar, I thought you would have appreciated the joke.

 

[Al Stevens]

I spoke with a friend who did loads of commercial union gigs in Washinton, DC in the 1950s. He says "preheat" is an industrywide standard buzzword that means what I described. It comes from the fact that you are asked to warm up the audience before the main entertainment event.

 

[Al Stevens]

Let Evel Kneivel get on the plane. I'm getting in the plane.

 

[SOTSDO]

Help with finding a book

Peter Alexander has an excellent book ,"How to keep you band booked a year in advance" , that covers the business aspects of running a band.

Jsax

I'd like to get this book (always looking for ideas), but a search on Amazon for both the US and Great Britain turned up negative. Could you check the title and get back to us here as to what it is, and (even better) a source for same?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Agent27]

The correct title is "How to stay booked a year in advance" by Peter L. Alexander.

It's from the mid to late 80's and is out of print. I haven't been able to locate a copy.