|
|
Post by jazzalta on Oct 22, 2004 0:04:59 GMT -5
Not sure where to post this, but I thought this is a good a place as any. Since this is a jazz guitar forum I'm curious to know how many out there are actually playing jazz the majority of time. I made it official today and quit the country group I was with. I've been playing country and western music for over 30 years in weekend bands and finally pulled the plug. Sure the extra cash is good, but jazz guitar (in particular, solo jazz guitar) is too much a part of me to ignore.
I have a little jazz trio thing on the side and my agent is finding me lounges and restaurants to ply my trade. Not much money in it, but hey, it's jazz and this is redneck country. So anyway it would be nice to know how many among you are totally commited to this genre. Feel free to offer any opinions or share your experiences on this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Petrucci's Little Helper on Oct 22, 2004 18:14:06 GMT -5
Not sure where to post this, but I thought this is a good a place as any. Since this is a jazz guitar forum I'm curious to know how many out there are actually playing jazz the majority of time. I made it official today and quit the country group I was with. I've been playing country and western music for over 30 years in weekend bands and finally pulled the plug. Sure the extra cash is good, but jazz guitar (in particular, solo jazz guitar) is too much a part of me to ignore. I have a little jazz trio thing on the side and my agent is finding me lounges and restaurants to ply my trade. Not much money in it, but hey, it's jazz and this is redneck country. So anyway it would be nice to know how many among you are totally commited to this genre. Feel free to offer any opinions or share your experiences on this. jazzalta2: I assume you're from Alberta?  I'm originally from Montreal, I've moved to the United States three years ago for graduate school... If you don't mind having to learn French at your own pace, maybe you should think of moving to Montreal. There definitely is much more of a market for jazz there than there is in Alberta... Marc |
|
|
|
Post by jazzalta on Oct 23, 2004 0:11:36 GMT -5
Thanx for responding Marc. As you guessed I am from Alberta. I just made that redneck comment based on the music that people out here listen to. I'm bound and determined tho to make a market here. It will probably mean playing for peanuts and less, but jazz is my passion. I'll make it work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Petrucci's Little Helper on Oct 23, 2004 6:20:38 GMT -5
Thanx for responding Marc. As you guessed I am from Alberta. I just made that redneck comment based on the music that people out here listen to. I'm bound and determined tho to make a market here. It will probably mean playing for peanuts and less, but jazz is my passion. I'll make it work. I assume you're either in Edmonton or Calgary... How is the market like in Calgary? I guess most hotels would consider the idea of having a jazz guitarist play their lounge. In a way, I envy you! I am far from good enough to be playing stuff by myself (I've started learning jazz guitar about a month ago!), so it must be nice to be good enough to play most of what you feel like playing. I wish you good luck in your endeavor... Cheers, Marc |
|
|
|
Post by jazzalta on Oct 23, 2004 12:53:11 GMT -5
Surprisingly Marc I live in Lethbridge, a quaint little berg of 70,000 or so. Up until now I've volunteered to play in our Hospital's atrium but am finding gigs at other small venues. And yes, I feel very blessed that I can play solo for 3 hours or so. In those cases I use 2 or 3 guitars to make that happen, plus add a little keyboard. As far as good enough, well no one else is doing it here so to speak. But no one has complained either.
|
|
|
|
Post by Professor1 on Oct 23, 2004 14:39:11 GMT -5
I actually don't play jazz most of the time, but I play all sorts of music. I play in a local junior college jazz big band that is composed almost entirely of old guys that have been playing jazz for decades, lots of decades, and they do the Thursday nite jazz band for fun. I'm having fun, and I'm learning alot more about jazz in the process. I'm also workng on a Masters degree in music theory, and the jazz band thing is a welcome diversion.
As far as playing only one type of music, I do know people that do that, but I can't imagine limiting myself to only one genre. I enjoy my clasical guitar, and my flat-top box, and my solid body electrics. I also just bought a banjo so I can try to learn that, too. I also compose music for large ensembles, which I find very gratifying. Yes, this is a jazz board, but there is so much other worthwhile stuff out there.
|
|
|
|
Post by jazzalta on Oct 23, 2004 23:16:13 GMT -5
Yeah, that might be a misnomer on my part. I don't actually play "only" jazz, but a lot of other music as a solo performer. My arrangements might sound jazzy to some but I also play a good variety of Chet Atkins and a lot of my own arrangements of jazz standards and pop.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwijohn on Dec 27, 2004 15:46:39 GMT -5
Living in a small New Zealand town,Kaikoura,(famous for whales and dolphins)it's always hard to get performance jazz together and an audience that pays.But I have had different lineups over the last few years that have worked to varying degrees.At present I am working with a female vocalist who likes standards...and this is an ideal situation for me.Being a full on tourist town..there are lots of little venues around..so it's good to stay small...and take up less space
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwijohn on Dec 27, 2004 15:53:34 GMT -5
Thinking about this further,it strikes me that there is a lot of interest in jazz in New Zealand and lots of opportunity to play so if anyone out there in "Jazz Guitar"land is thinking of holidaying in N.Z.bring your guitar along.....it'll be fun
|
|
I'm originally from Montreal, I've moved to the United States three years ago for graduate school... If you don't mind having to learn French at your own pace, maybe you should think of moving to Montreal. There definitely is much more of a market for jazz there than there is in Alberta...