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Chapter 16: So You Wanna Be in a Band: Fitting into a Jazz Ensemble
Going corporate
Another variation on employment for musicians is the corporate gig. Many
American cities do blockbuster business in conventions and conferences.
Every event hosts parties and social occasions. Talk to your local convention
and visitors’ bureau to find out what events are coming to town and how various
companies hire performers. Many cities also have talent agents who specialize
in providing entertainment for corporate occasions. If you seriously
want to pursue corporate dates, you may want to hire an agent (but know
that a percentage of your pay goes to the agent).
Approaching a variety of local venues
A lot of musicians complain that they just can’t land a gig, but I bet you there
are gigs to be had within a few minutes of your home. New jazz musicians
tend to think of a gig as a performance in a cool little jazz club with a name
like the Purple Onion, but there are all kinds of venues and occasions where
you might find work. Many restaurant owners hire musicians to play in their
bars. These gigs may not pay much, but they provide experience, and the fact
that some people are too busy talking to listen to you can be a blessing if
your band is still working out its kinks.
The Internet and telephones are great marketing tools, but sometimes a personal
visit to a venue is even better. You can walk into a coffeehouse, nightclub,
real estate office, record store, or restaurant and ask to see a manager
or whoever hires entertainers. All you want is “face time:” shake the person’s
hand, hand him a card, and tell him you’re happy to provide more information
at his convenience. You can offer to play one time for free, as a sort of
audition and trial to test audience response. Of course, this also would be a
great time to tell friends and family to show up and pack the house.
Pounding the pavement is the way to land jobs. A couple of enterprising 11th
graders I know have a weekly gig at a pizza joint in a hip part of town, and a
second gig performing in a small coffeehouse next to a multiplex cinema.
These are talented musicians who are still learning their craft. They have a
repertoire of a dozen or more tunes. They usually work as a trio of drumspiano-bass,
but sometimes splinter off a duo.
Producing a CD
When your group has mastered several tunes (and maybe even composed
some originals) and honed its sound at several gigs and practice sessions,
you may consider producing a CD of your music. Give some careful consideration
before you proceed. Many indie jazz CDs are mediocre, and it’s not necessarily
the musicians. If your repertoire consists primarily of standards, it’s
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