Example of the new business model at work
New Toronto Jazz Club Booking Musicians
Reply to: comm-4e4hc-1171729685@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-05-15
Memphis Smoke Jazz and Piano Bar needs to fill out a few spots. Pay range starts from $40-$100 per night depending on experience, improvisational skills, and original material. Applicant should be able to read lead sheets, play with an ensemble, and have a minimum 1 hour of soloing ability. The styles are based on jazz, blues, and pop. We are seeking all instrumentalists, especially; bass, double bass, guitar, vocals (some scat), horns, and electronic Please do not ask us to visit web sites, send attachments, or lengthy bios. The audition process will be to play 1-3 pieces with the house pianist, and a solo. You can choose the Rising Artist Open Stage (Every Wednesday), or The Singer/Songwriter Showcase (Every Thursday) - Original music only please for Thursday. Please do not call the club directly. To audition, you must email your phone number and the date you would like to come in. Only when we call you back will you be confirmed. YOU CANNOT SHOW UP WITHOUT A SPOT. We need musicians immediately, so the first proficient ones that come in will be hired on the spot. This is an idea of the layout and style of the club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAyVOVPOXDQ
Showing posts with label Anecdotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anecdotes. Show all posts
Cabaret@Statler's Artist Contract
Statler's artist contract: The following explains how a CABARET @ STATLERS operates successfully forboth artist and venue (the establishment).
You promote to your family, friends, fan club, loyal followers.throughyour Website, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
The following information must be included in all promotional material: Thedate, name of artist, name or theme of cabaret (if there is one), name ofestablishment (Statlers Cabaret) address of venue, time the doors open fordinner/cocktails, 6:30 PM, show time, 8 PM, etc.
In your promotional material, you advise all guests that attendance is by'reservation only'. In order to make CABARET DINNER RESERVATIONS, go toStatlers website and link to the �DINNER CABARET RESERVATIONS� button tomake their reservation for your cabaret show. Guests MUST makereservations, no walk-ins accepted.
There must be at least 20 guests within five days (5) prior to show time orshow is automatically cancelled. You can charge either $12.00 or $15.00 per person cover - (artist receives80% of cover, house receives 20% for administrative expense of handling thereservations and door).
There are no complimentary reservations accepted. If an artist wishes to provide a complimentary entrance to someone, they must pay the door cover and then from their revenue, rebate themselves orthe party they complimented. There are no complimentary seats allotted for artist's family members, camera people, lighting people etc. They too must make reservations and pay the entrance fee, etc. (the number count ofguests must be accurate and reconcile to the door fees received space is limited and both the artist and house are required to extract as great arevenue as possible so the entire event is worthwhile). There is a Food & Drink Minimum of $10.00 per person. This must be advertised on all your promotional material without fail.
You are to either create a poster or we can create one for you for a fee of $25.00 if you provide a picture or graphic detail, etc. All the information above will be contained in the poster and this too should be copied to allyour advertising material and mediums of promoting your cabaret. The house will print three posters, two for the house front window and a hard copy forthe artist. The artist will also have been provided with an electronic version of their poster so they can print additional copies at their choosing.
NOTE: We are averaging guest lists via the VIP Reservation Only system of about 40 people per show. If the show has less than 45 guests, it is held upstairs and if more than 45, it is moved downstairs. We have a Baby Grand,Yamaha G20 downstairs, and a Steinway Antique upstairs, full sound system and stage management administration to assist and support in making the cabaret event, one of the most memorable in an artists career. Please let me know your thoughts and compliance on the above guidelines for Cabaret at Statlers? We are currently booking the next three months at this time. Many seasoned artists have reserved their gig dates.
You promote to your family, friends, fan club, loyal followers.throughyour Website, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
The following information must be included in all promotional material: Thedate, name of artist, name or theme of cabaret (if there is one), name ofestablishment (Statlers Cabaret) address of venue, time the doors open fordinner/cocktails, 6:30 PM, show time, 8 PM, etc.
In your promotional material, you advise all guests that attendance is by'reservation only'. In order to make CABARET DINNER RESERVATIONS, go toStatlers website and link to the �DINNER CABARET RESERVATIONS� button tomake their reservation for your cabaret show. Guests MUST makereservations, no walk-ins accepted.
There must be at least 20 guests within five days (5) prior to show time orshow is automatically cancelled. You can charge either $12.00 or $15.00 per person cover - (artist receives80% of cover, house receives 20% for administrative expense of handling thereservations and door).
There are no complimentary reservations accepted. If an artist wishes to provide a complimentary entrance to someone, they must pay the door cover and then from their revenue, rebate themselves orthe party they complimented. There are no complimentary seats allotted for artist's family members, camera people, lighting people etc. They too must make reservations and pay the entrance fee, etc. (the number count ofguests must be accurate and reconcile to the door fees received space is limited and both the artist and house are required to extract as great arevenue as possible so the entire event is worthwhile). There is a Food & Drink Minimum of $10.00 per person. This must be advertised on all your promotional material without fail.
You are to either create a poster or we can create one for you for a fee of $25.00 if you provide a picture or graphic detail, etc. All the information above will be contained in the poster and this too should be copied to allyour advertising material and mediums of promoting your cabaret. The house will print three posters, two for the house front window and a hard copy forthe artist. The artist will also have been provided with an electronic version of their poster so they can print additional copies at their choosing.
NOTE: We are averaging guest lists via the VIP Reservation Only system of about 40 people per show. If the show has less than 45 guests, it is held upstairs and if more than 45, it is moved downstairs. We have a Baby Grand,Yamaha G20 downstairs, and a Steinway Antique upstairs, full sound system and stage management administration to assist and support in making the cabaret event, one of the most memorable in an artists career. Please let me know your thoughts and compliance on the above guidelines for Cabaret at Statlers? We are currently booking the next three months at this time. Many seasoned artists have reserved their gig dates.
ANECDOTE - Beware of musicians
SECTION FROM:
THE INDEPENDENT
Article: Facebook faux pas: The geek's guide to netiquette
Social networking is a minefield for manners – should you poke your boss? Can you have too many friends? Rhodri Marsden shares his golden rules
Beware of musicians
"No group of people are as eager to seize the chance to relentlessly pester people as musicians. Anyone possessing a guitar will have three times the number of friends as anyone else, none of whom will have expected the torrent of useless information that's now hurtling in their direction. There'll be news of a new song being written, details of a forthcoming gig in Rhyl, links to a new single on iTunes, and flyers the size of the Bayeux Tapestry. Refuse the friendship of anyone with musical ambitions."
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/facebook-faux-pas-the-geeks-guide-to-netiquette-849090.html
THE INDEPENDENT
Article: Facebook faux pas: The geek's guide to netiquette
Social networking is a minefield for manners – should you poke your boss? Can you have too many friends? Rhodri Marsden shares his golden rules
Beware of musicians
"No group of people are as eager to seize the chance to relentlessly pester people as musicians. Anyone possessing a guitar will have three times the number of friends as anyone else, none of whom will have expected the torrent of useless information that's now hurtling in their direction. There'll be news of a new song being written, details of a forthcoming gig in Rhyl, links to a new single on iTunes, and flyers the size of the Bayeux Tapestry. Refuse the friendship of anyone with musical ambitions."
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/facebook-faux-pas-the-geeks-guide-to-netiquette-849090.html
ANECDOTE - professional musicians left out because you have to pay them
I was recently asked if I was interested in playing at a local street festival. It's going to be a great event and I was thrilled to have a shot at a spot for my (underexposed) band. When asked for a price I quoted "scale", the lowest amount set by our professional association for this type of gig, a concert set on a festival street stage. Scale amounts to $135 per musician. This is more than fair for the employer.
In response to my quote, I received an email back informing me that this was way outside of their budget and that now they had decided to get only "community bands" and "non-professional musicians" to play at the event. In other words, people they don't have to pay or who will work for almost nothing, musicians with day jobs etc.
Again, the professional musician is eliminated from the pool of work.
Where is the professional musician supposed to work?
How are we to make our living?
In response to my quote, I received an email back informing me that this was way outside of their budget and that now they had decided to get only "community bands" and "non-professional musicians" to play at the event. In other words, people they don't have to pay or who will work for almost nothing, musicians with day jobs etc.
Again, the professional musician is eliminated from the pool of work.
Where is the professional musician supposed to work?
How are we to make our living?
ANECDOTE - 4 buns for the band
About 4 years ago, I got a gig for my band (5 of us) at a high end restaurant in Waterloo. It was actually in the lounge upstairs beside the dining room. The agent had negotiated a meal for out of town bands because the gig started at 7pm and bands coming from Toronto would have to leave town in the early afternoon to get to the gig, given the heavy rush hour traffic.
However, when it came time to eat, the owner's wife, there in lieu of the owner that day, flatly refused to feed us. No reason, just "no". This was quite disturbing as we hadn't eaten since lunch and were facing the whole night of playing, till 11pm with no food. I practically begged for a bowl of soup, or something, but was flatly turned down. Unbelievable.
Then, to the rescue, the bar waiter said he would help us out and get us some food. He said he'd go to the kitchen and come back with some food for us. Yay!! Saved.
A few minutes later he came out, with a small basket containing 4 small dinner rolls. 4 buns!! for a 5-piece band. He put the basket down in front of us and acted as if he'd done us a favour.
We were stunned.
So the band had 4 buns for dinner. Sax player Carrie Chesnutt (who was on the gig) and I often make fun of this situation, but really we're just remembering how pathetic it was.
This is how working professional musicians are treated today.
However, when it came time to eat, the owner's wife, there in lieu of the owner that day, flatly refused to feed us. No reason, just "no". This was quite disturbing as we hadn't eaten since lunch and were facing the whole night of playing, till 11pm with no food. I practically begged for a bowl of soup, or something, but was flatly turned down. Unbelievable.
Then, to the rescue, the bar waiter said he would help us out and get us some food. He said he'd go to the kitchen and come back with some food for us. Yay!! Saved.
A few minutes later he came out, with a small basket containing 4 small dinner rolls. 4 buns!! for a 5-piece band. He put the basket down in front of us and acted as if he'd done us a favour.
We were stunned.
So the band had 4 buns for dinner. Sax player Carrie Chesnutt (who was on the gig) and I often make fun of this situation, but really we're just remembering how pathetic it was.
This is how working professional musicians are treated today.
ANECDOTE - wasting taxpayers money
Anecdote regarding the state of culture in our current society:
In 2006, my associate and I had a duo gig, playing ambient jazz, at a soirée put on by the Department of Francophone Affairs. A week before the gig my associate, who had booked the gig, sent me an email telling me that the gig had been cancelled. The employer stated that they had decided not to have us because - "they didn't want to be perceived as spending taxpayers money on music".
This is the government talking. What does that tell you? roadstar
In 2006, my associate and I had a duo gig, playing ambient jazz, at a soirée put on by the Department of Francophone Affairs. A week before the gig my associate, who had booked the gig, sent me an email telling me that the gig had been cancelled. The employer stated that they had decided not to have us because - "they didn't want to be perceived as spending taxpayers money on music".
This is the government talking. What does that tell you? roadstar
