 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-12-21 23:23
I have been playing in the trad jazz circuit for the last three years. When I started out, I couldn't play worth a "toot." Now I'm much better and I can hold my own. I've subbed for two Bay Area Trad Jazz bands. They both liked me. But what is really really bothering me is that the Trad Jazz monthly magazine for one club prints pictures of all the jammers. They never put in a picture of me. The other Trad Jazz Club I belong to had a column about the jammers. They never mentioned my name. A friend of mine called me today and said, "I'm dropping my membership to the Trad Jazz club because they haven't printed one picture of you this whole past year." They print pictures of good looking guys, young, I'm not young, but I'm not dead yet. The column in the other magazine was devoted to people who had been in the club since it's inception, but never mentioned anybody new. What is this? Should I raise a fuss? The last time I went to the third Jazz Club, they have six sets for jammers. We have to drive one hour to get there. They stuck me in the very last set. By the time they got to me I was half-drunk (from boredom and tired of waiting my turn.) What should I do? Should I raise a fuss? Should I quit going? I love the music, and supposedly we are there to carry on a tradition. What would Billie or Ella have done? Curious in California.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-12-21 23:29
Carol Dutcher wrote:
> By the
> time they got to me I was half-drunk (from boredom and tired of
> waiting my turn.) What should I do?
Not get drunk ...
Three years is just barely a start, anyway ...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-12-21 23:46
We've all played gigs where our name was never mentioned in the program. It never bothered me...
Musicians are often taken for granted, or forgotten about. We often toil in obscurity. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
As long as the music and money is good, why stop going? ...GBK
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-12-22 00:02
Perhaps ask casually about the picture. It could be repeat oversight... we've had a person left off the program twice in a row in our ensemble, after which an announcement was made by the director before the concert.
Same goes with my notoriously misspelled Czech last name.
If you just mention it to people, they're usually really cool about it. However, if you're like me and don't like to make a fuss about such things, it often happens that a friend, whose good standing in the ensemble is in no way endangered by such a comment, will casually bring up the issue. Shame that your friend wants to drop the club rather than just sending in a friendly note.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-22 00:07
I say keep it about the music. Play for the music, and take any publications as a "bonus".
I can't tell whether it's discrimination or not, and maybe there IS more involved than just forgetting you, but I would just not worry about it. Keep playing, keep doing your thing, and try not to worry about whether you are getting "recognized" in a publication for it. Just worry about getting the applause that night, and doing well enough to get a call-back for another subbing position later.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-12-22 00:21
I have seen a vhs tape of a prominent member of this esteemed board doing a darn good Rhapsody in Blue clarinet solo with orch and solo pianist.
The conductor never acknowledged his contribution ("the nod").
I trust it has not detered him one iota.
Hang tight.
(no...it is not me....this person is a pro)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-12-22 00:49
Thanks for your comments. I've been feeling "sad." I love playing. In the Jammers groups we don't get paid. We donate our time and talent to play between the regular bands. But I've been feeling totally invisible. My real true feeling is, that, if a publication is not going to give everyone "equal time" they shouldn't do a column at all, or do pictures at all. I didn't think about it as much, until the friend brought this up. She is going to write a friendly note to the editor, with her resignation from the club, asking why this occurs. The club that had six sets for jammers writes that "people who call in to jam first will get first consideration." I called in first. I got last consideration. That rubbed my fur the wrong way. I want to start the New Year off with a new attitude. You know those resolutions? This is one of them. I want to figure out just what to do about inconsideration. This is not one year's worth of columns and pictures. This is three year's worth.
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2005-12-22 01:20
I agree...hang tight, but perhaps you should also reflect on **why** you're doing the gigs --,because it certainly doesn't sound like you're enjoying them!
Your post seems to imply that personal recognition may be more important to you than making good music and having fun. Even if the club did post your picture, it would still take an hour to drive there, they'd still stick you in the very last set, and you'd still be half-drunk from waiting your turn. You may want to reflect on what you really want out of this "relationship".
I applaud your desire to carry-on the tradition, but remember, you can do that as a listener as well, by showing your appreciation to the musicians that precede you.
(BTW: <www.okom.com> is great for 24x7 streaming trad jazz)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-12-22 01:31
Christmas Carols for the Psychologically Challenged seem to fit in here (abbreviated list to keep it pertinent)
Oh yes....in response to numerous emails ....the Rhapsody in Blue Clarinetist mentioned in my earlier post is no other than GBK
> 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
>> 6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me
> 8. Full Personality Disorder-- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna > Cry,
> I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why
> 10. Agoraphobia --- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day But > Wouldn't
> Leave My House
> 13. Social Anxiety Disorder --- Have Yourself a Merry Little
> Christmas while I Sit Here and Hyperventilate
>
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2005-12-22 02:08)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-12-22 02:21
Hi, Carol 
As a founding charter member of a jazz society long ago ('60s) and far away (southern CA) I can give you my take on the workings of a club from that viewpoint. The jazz society I'm speaking of long ago disbanded, so I can talk about it now without offending anyone. Most of 'em are dead now anyway. I can tell you that all performers are[were] *supposed* to get equal time and recognition. Performers were not paid and patrons were asked to make a small contribution which went toward hall rental etc. It was a monthly gathering to have fun making music in a more or less "traditional" manner.
Rivalry and jealousy seem to be a small faction of such endeavors, however much you'd like it not to be so. This always seemed to be a possibility and an effort was made to dissuade it if at all possible. You can't keep an eye on all the little hot spots, however; occasionally tempers were evident. No fist fights, just insults. Often followed by apologies.
Founding members ("directors") made an effort to be fair and even-tempered in arranging sets. Most of the time, 99%, it was lots of fun. As much as we tried, however, that one percent guy-with-a-chip or girl-with-a-grudge, whatever, could cause friction. It seems, looking back now, that in almost every instance of friction there was a little (or maybe not so little) alcohol involved.
With all due respect to my fellow musicians, I would advise anyone participating in a jam set -- drink all you want.... *after* your set.
Even so, no one to my knowledge was ever excluded or resigned over an incident. If someone felt slighted or upset in some way every effort was made to address that 'problem'.
With that in mind, I'm pretty sure that if you bring your concern(s) to the attention of someone connected to "management" they will try to take care of it. After all, it's to their benefit to have a smooth running program. They may even thank you for bringing the oversight to their attention.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
...who now resides in Sacramento, CA but was once upon a time a founding member/participator in the Kern County Hot Jazz Society (of Bakersfield), [now *defunct*]. We were 'kissin' cousins' with the Los Angeles Hot Jazz Society and a good ongoing exchange of participants. Fun days were those
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-12-22 02:53
Thanks again for the comments. I'm not really an alcoholic. I had two glasses of wine on that particular day when I waited for four hours. But yes, I have been wondering what is going on with the people who set up the jam sets and promote them. Trying to see this from all angles is tough when you don't really know the inner workings of the group. I have heard some really ear bending arguments between musicians and no, I was not involved in them. But since writing this out for prime time, I have decided that the place that we have to drive the farthest to, one hour each way, and the one that I had to wait so long to play at, is the one I won't go to anymore. The other places are very close to home so there is really no waiting time involved.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-22 03:48
Carol,
Sounds like a good decision. Also, I caught this earlier, I would have brought up the fact that it was supposedly a "first come first served" type place and that though you called in first, you were placed last.
If something like that was advertised (ie: set in stone somehow) and they decide to bend something like that against you without your permission again, I'd definitely bring it up. What's the point of having guidelines/rules if the people SETTING them won't even adhere?
Otherwise, keep on tootin'.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-12-22 06:05
Thanks for saying that! I wondered about it because the man in charge of setting up the jammers for six sets knows me well and that we have a long drive. It was the first time that it had ever happened at that particular club. This gent is new on the job after the fellow suddenly resigned that was in charge of the jammers. Usually when I got there, I got two sets, one right after the other. Then we listen to the music for the rest of the day. So it is better for me now if I just don't go there. Believe me, I don't want to get into a confrontation with anybody. I'm just not the type. Also, the picture thing was about fairness. Actually, the pictures are so bad, really, everybody's face looks about 2 feet wide and 1 foot tall, all stretched out of shape. I didn't mean to sound like all I wanted was recognition. That was not really the issue but I guess the way I worded it, it didn't come out right. Thanks again for writing! I love Trad Jazz and have met some marvelous folks.
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2005-12-22 06:39
Hey, Carol:
I think we saw you "sub" with a group in Stockton last year. You did a fine job! I think folks have given you good advice. You should probably tell someone that you don't understand what was happening, but ultimately, I subscribe to the "Ricky Nelson Philosophy of Life:"
"You got to please yourself....."
Play for the joy of it and try not to sweat the mistakes of the braindead who just don't get what it means to be polite and supportive!
Good luck.
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
Post Edited (2005-12-22 18:54)
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2005-12-22 06:52
What sweet thoughts you are sending me. I'm getting my good attitude back. Yes I have played in Stockton. And to heck with pictures, columns, and other stuff. Our joy should come from within anyway, but sometimes we do get sidetracked. The pleasure of seeing smiling faces in the audience outweighs most negative stuff anyway. Thanks!
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-12-22 11:53
This makes me think of all those who faced racial discrimination over many, many years in baseball (Jackie Robinson) or in jazz or other music venues (Ray Charles, etc.). They ultimately succeeded in earning respect because of their quiet determination and persistance. They didn't quit but undoubtedly they had strong support backing them up at home and in their circle of friends. Now when we look back those individuals are considered with respect and admiration for what they accomplished for others of their race. So perhaps for the sake of others who aren't young, male or great-looking, quietly persisting and showing kindness (along with occasionally having to speak up) in the face of the seeming odds against you would go a long way towards opening the doors for others and earning respect for yourself. Let your music speak loud and clear for you. You'd need a support system to back you up, and it looks like you have that here on the BB to help you get back on track. Good for you!
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2005-12-22 19:14
If it is one occasion where you got misplaced in the lineup, assume it was a mistake on someone's part. (Stuff happens.) If it happens consistently, be concerned.
As someone else said, ask about the photo before getting upset. It, too, could have been an oversight--but one that got repeated because no one caught and corrected it. If you mention it and things don't change, be concerned.
In the end, weigh things with your own value system (We all have our own.) and decide what makes you happiest.
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