gigging out

[tammy]

going for the gig.
i want to discuss getting gigs, playing out.
whats happening around the world regarding gigs.
is jazz popular. are live bands popular. or is it djs.

i want to get a laid back gig in a smart restaurant. a place i can leave my equipment. a place without too many cigarettes and not too many drunks. a place where i can sing and be heard without disturbing anyone. a place where i can sing jazz and light pop and other requests. a place where people can get up and dance if they like.
right what do i do?
do places like this exist?
am i too old?
does jazz sound yuck with just a vocalist and backtracks?
are these type of gigs so popular that most pseudo musoz are after them?
lets hear what you guys have to say?
:o
(icon singing)

[G-man]

Plenty of laid back places in Cape Town... I don't know about storing your equipment though... unless you know the owner or are taken on as a regular performer... When I did solo performances I usually just played guitar... electric or acoustic and brought just a guitar, mic, and an amplifier or two... kept it simple. I also don't know how old you are but I say it doesn't matter what age you are... Some jazz and blues legends play at clubs around here can sometimes be well into their 80's.

In Cape Town maybe hit some places like... The Winchester Hotel, Green Dolphin although they might prefer more seasoned musicians there, maybe the Baxter Theatre Complex, and ask around all the restaurants, coffee houses, bars and nightclubs... anywhere where there is an open mic just get out and get your name out! It might take a few months to get started but once you do and if people are interested in what you do and you are serious and put the effort in you will eventually be performing regularly. Good luck!

[jeaniesing]

And try the equivalent of the "Country Club"... I did a lot of laid back kinda work at 2 of the the local ones in my younger years... sing a little play a little chat with folks a little (encouraged)... dinner music kinda gig. But that was me and a pianist......

[G-man]

hehehe... Yea, I can see you atop a piano singing sultry jazz Jeanie! Hey! I play the keys... interested in playing with me? ... perhaps a duet? We could play The Pump Room! You in a glittery evening gown and I in my tux with tails...

[jeaniesing]

:laugh: I'm THERE G ;).... Always said that's what I was gonna do when I burned out as a teacher.... (that or become a door person where you get to smile and greet people day in and out...) 've been feeling the Vanderlüst of late.... I know a few people who should be in the audience for our first show ;), mind if I spread out the invites?? :laugh:

[G-man]

Let's do it!

(that or become a door person where you get to smile and greet people day in and out...) Walmart? :ah: :laugh:
Send out the invites!
* practises on the ebony and ivory...*

I can see it now... belt it out Jeanie!

"...bride, another June, another
sunny, honeymoon, another
season, another reason, for makin'
whoopee! A lot of
shoes, a lot of rice, the groom is
nervous, he answers twice, it's really
killing, that he's so willing, to make
whoopee!
Picture a little love nest,
down where the roses cling,
picture the same sweet love nest,
think what a year can bring. He's washing
dishes, and baby clothes, he's so am-
bitious, he even sews. But don't for-
get, folks, that's what you get, folks, for makin'
whoooooopeeeeeeeee!..." :laugh2:

[jeaniesing]

<whew> SO we both know at least one song.... lets flesh out the playlist a bit.... d'ya know "Love for Sale"??

[Black_Kat]

Neeik! I won't ask! :confused: But...wait...*gasps* Noooo!!!

[G-man]

:eek: Wanna' handle this one Prodigal Wife?
Or is it my turn again? :laugh2:

[jeaniesing]

:eek:.... when did we get married!?!? :laugh:...

C'mon B_K... there's a few things we need to talk about regarding hominid rituals...

[rknrne]

What a triangle. A soap opera on every page.Hilarious

So .............. back to the question !

;)

[tammy]

naaah. question not as interesting as our budding buddies bobbing about!

but..
so gm 69 where exacty is chi town in c.t.
when last did ya go to winchester in c.t.
for me... naa. i wanna solo gig. they do bands.
i am not in their league.
i would love to sing jazz with backtracks.. not sure if that is acceptable, after all there would nt be a live solo, just a recorded one. with me shaking a tambourine or smiling nicely while we get off on a dead solo...

hmm
t

[G-man]

:laugh2: I'm not certain how that would work... I know people who have done it... and they eventually formed bands... some became rather big. I don't know anyone who has done what you wish to do though... I'd hit the small places first though the cafés and restaurants and outdoors where folks mingle... wherever they might allow you to play... and as for me I'm in the States... Chicago (The Windy City, The City by the Lake, Chi-town....) and the last time I was in Cape Town was about 2 years ago...

[jeaniesing]

I do think people shy from completely recorded things a bit - look at the success of all the duos here on our board..... I was in a place a while ago where the act was singer/MIDI/bongo player! (Very talented bongo player..... )

[tammy]

hmmm..... tambourine doesnt exactly count as an instrument, oh well back to the drawing board.

i used to be one of the first females busking at flea markets not that long ago (about 12 years) here in ole cape town. i was so determined to play, that i learnt guitar and went out and busked. oh what simplicity in those good old days. i want something a bit better than that!

by the way gm 69 what were you doing in c.t. are you an ex south african? are just a tourist.
the weather is great here at the moment. sun filled days with white beaches.... uh oh its calling me....
bye
t
ps oops too dark outside to venture to the sea.

[jeaniesing]

perhaps you can run a MIDI file and fake a few chords along the way on a keyboard/guitar??.... the uneducated wouldn't catch on and it would give the impression ;)... I wouldn't think it terrible insincere if you tool the time to learn those few chords you 'fake' in :)

[tammy]

could do that for some songs. not all. but then, i lose my frontperson ship. ie so busy concentrating on fax chords wont sing well.
actually i am a good singer. just too critical of myself, what being a singing teacher and all. i just wanna be in a listening gig.
maybe i should start my own restaurant. hmm put on shows every week with enthusiastic students, hmmm make a damn fortune. any one wanna invest???


what about auditions?
do i carry all the equipment set up and not get paid, and do it for a few songs, and then pack away again.
do i go around with demo tapes.
or do i insist on a paid audition.
part of my problem, is finding the courage to go out there and find the gig.
nice throwing about ideas.
hmm maybe i should teach a student what to do, let her carry all the equipment, and sing, i will clap, and take a 50% cut.......
hmmm
t

[jeaniesing]

hehehe... all good ideas Tammy! :) You're making me wish I lived in an area whre venues would be available to me ;)... My jazz singing seems to be limited to doing recordings for kids so that they might learn the songs. Do you scat?

[G-man]

Just visiting Tammy... have some family in South Africa... and some business in that area... I go to Africa about once a year or so... I lived there for awhile in several locations... my folks still own a ranch in Kenya.

[tammy]

jeanie - whats your definition of scat?
if its ella's ie know which key you are in, and able to modulate according to what chords are being played by your brilliant accompanists.... no.
if you mean, putting in a few doobie doos and hubba hoos, changing words, leaving them out, and singing a few bum notes here and there... no problemo!
so, when are you resigning from your job, and spending a year gigging around s.a. the money will be good enough to support you here, but worthless in usa. but wow, you could have a great time... besides, i would come and do a guest spot everynow and then, and you can carry the equipment. hmmmmmm. thats always been my problem.. i always find it easier to promote someone else rather than myself. can i be your manager?

as for gman69. are your family in c.t.? how close? wow, you sound like you have done some living!!
i hitched from s.a. to nairobi about 10 years ago. isn't africa amazing? my boyfriend has never been to malawi or mozambique. have you been? i actually managed to hitch on several aeroplanes while i was in mozambique. phew.... strange times. no more backpacking and hitching again. i would love to fly there and camp with my little family. oh well.
t

[jeaniesing]

scat? knowing the progressions well enough to do an Ella impression... 'cept when the progressions leave you in the dust ;)... As for my resignation *pulls out contract* seems to me there was a clause about educational travel... hmmmmmmm

[tammy]

does that mean you and zel are on the same flight here.....
still waiting for your arrival, with chocolate block in hand.
t