From: bbbe~ris.com (Barry B. Bean) Date: Tue, 19 Mar 96 08:29:04 EST Subject: Gig notes: SITTING IN
On Mon, 18 Mar 1996 21:39:26 -0500 you wrote:
>The whole issue of sitting in is a touchy one. Here in Las Vegas, alot of >the casinos have made it an official rule that there is to be no sitting in, >even if the musician works at that hotel on another shift. It's kind of a >shame - guests sitting in used to be one of the highlights of the evening, >both for the audience and the band. But a few bad experiences have ruined it >for everyone.
That is a shame. When good musicians sit in, it brings everyone up. I didn't mention that at the same gig my man Gus did his astounding versions of Oh Suzanna etc with my blues/rock/soul band we also had several REAL musicians sit in. A jazz combo doing an NEA grant in a nearby town stopped by (at my invitation) and sat in on sax, bone, keys, and guitar. All full-time professionals, their contribution to the performance was substantial (although I had my head cut badly by the sax player - watch for a Canadian tenor player named Antoniuk). When done properly, sit-ins can be a real addition to the show and inject some sponteneity into a planned setlist.
BBB - - B.B. Bean - Have horn. Will travel. http://www.cris.com/~Bbbean
