[NewMusic] Booking / 'Usual Suspects'

[Phillip Greenlief]

-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Matt Davignon
Subject: Re: [NewMusic] Booking / 'Usual Suspects'

Usual suspectery has its virtues to a venue - it's easy, it's safe,
and it's more time spent hanging out with friends. The downside is
that the value of a gig decreases when the musician has so many within
a frame of time. The musician doesn't have time to get excited about
it or make it a unique experience.

PG:
I like a lot of what you said, but I have a problem with this last
sentence. I can't imagine not being excited to play - that's why I play
so much. I know I run the risk of spreading myself too thin, but I try
to give my all every time I play. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't
- you never know when you book something how it's going to turn out.

I know I often compare our scene to jazz, but no one complained when
Bird was playing 52nd street nearly every night of the week - and apart
from the bad nights he must have had (due to "health" problems), I'm
sure the majority of what went down was fabulous. Playing keeps me in
shape. Yes, I also try to have sessions at the house - get together with
people and play as much as possible - check out what it's like playing
duo with someone you hardly know - I think you need to do that too. In
some cases, I have spent well over a year rehearsing with someone before
even trying to get a gig. The next thing I know that person has moved to
NY or somewhere else, and I'm wishing I hadn't wasted so much time
"preparing"...

I know I'm not making any conclusive statements here, but be advised
that if I say yes to a gig, I mean it and I am damn happy to be there.
Otherwise, I'd just as soon stay home and read or fall into a film.