So You Want To Be In A Band Part 23

Let the Summer Begin

Well we thought so anyhow. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. The temperature was about 60 when we started and went down from there. The Band was not at its best. The Guitarist and bass players struggled with cold fingers as did the keyboards and horns. All round intonation was a challenge. What started out as a good sound had to be constantly checked. Only the hardiest fans came out and they were in winter coats. The band members were very disgruntled with the whole thing. I felt a little responsible I pushed to play on. New Band rule when playing outside the temperature must stay over sixty.

Lesson learned.

The next event was a little different. The Band went out on a limb. I thought that maybe we could rent a hall, charge at the door and keep the receipts. We posted fliers tried to enlist help from the folks that own the hall. I made contact with the local dance groups and invited them to the dance.

We showed up fairly early to post more fliers and to generate

some last minute interest in the “The Summer Dance Party”. As it turned out we took $500 at the door. That covered the hall and band members got paid something for their efforts.

The following clip is of that night. The dancers certainly had a good time.

Next time more Press

So You Want to be in a Band Part 22

More Change

It seems inevitable that a Band will have change. Enter Dan Chryster. I met Dan at a local coffee shop to discuss The BlueShadow Band. Dan and I talked about what we were looking for in a guitar player and what he was looking for in a Band. He had been heading up a popular Bacon and Eggs blues band. As an extra bonus Dan could handle some of the vocals. I went online and found a few clips of his former band on U tube. He certainly has the skills. I looked through some of his set lists there was quite a bit of over lap. I gave him half a dozen charts and asked him to show up at Jerry's place to meet the rest of the band. I had no doubts that he would be good for the band. In all honesty he had with his stage name of "Lumpy Jones"

The rest of the Band was very pleased with his abilities. Now the hard work of learning 60+ arrangement in time for our first gig in 4 weeks with a new rhythm section.

So You Want to be in a Band Part 21

The last entry we were still trying out drummers.

To come into a band that has been playing together for a year + and play with some drive --but not too loud, and follow the breaks that we haven't told you about, is got to be a little rough.
That was the situation that Jerry Endres was thrust into. He pulled it off. The first time through a phrase the rest of the band played the breaks like we always had --Jerry only had to hear it once and the next time around he nailed it. It didn't matter whether it was the drum breaks in "Knock on Wood" or "Sweet Home Chicago", he was able to drive it or make it swing. The band breathes a collective sigh of relief.

Hey the man already owns a Cowboy Hat---Ready to play those Patsy Cline Gigs

So You Want to be in a Band 20

Jerry our trumpet player was moonlighting in the Front Street Jazz Band. I guess its O.K. Both Todd and I have been known to moonlight with that group. (But I didn't wear a red vest.)

Steve Weldon playing Sax.

Scary thing. Pete our 20 something drummer is having surgery. I dont do well with this kind of stuff.

Three days Later

Pete's Surgery was long but went well, he's been recovering at home.

The Band hasn't practiced as a complete group in more than 4 weeks. Jerry, Todd and I have been getting together to work on and fix the horn parts for the Sounds of Summer/Jimmy Buffett music. We have also been learning some percussion instruments clave, cabasa, cow bell and others. Jerry has been learning the steel drum. I worked with him last night supplying horn parts to play the steel drum against. I am encouraged by the steel drum work.

Tomorrow we will have the full band at practice except for Pete. Jerry has a drummer coming in to work with Band. It will be a very tall order as Pete is a great drummer and the Band only feels right with him. I will report back later with how it turns out.

One Week Later...

Finding a drummer that plays with the same swing, drive...talent, as Pete is very difficult. The first attempt failed. A good drummer, just not the right fit. I hope we can pull it together. We have another drummer coming in this Sunday.

I would kid Pete about using a drum machine...yeah right.

Last Night

I try to listen to other local groups and follow what they are up to. Last night I listened to a group by the name of the Big Timers --Robert Abate, Steve Weldon, Bill Muha, and others. The music was great with a right blend of musicians and tune selection. Both guitarists had something to say and did in tasty riffs on each selection. I was particularly taken with Steve Weldon's work on tenor- it was both melodic and exciting. The rhythm section was very attentive and on the mark throughout the night.

Live Music- there is nothing like it.

Jerry went down to visit Pete. Brought back good reports.

Until next time

So You Want To Play In a Band Part 19

OTHER MUSICAL EVENTS

Jerry Byville has been involved in a music program that he put together for a local charter school. The program is to introduce the students to jazz by way of improvising. This is no small task due the differing levels of musical background of the students. This program was to culminate with a short performance during a dinner held at the school.

To create a successful experience for the kids Jerry utilized some of the Jamey Abersoll back up CD’s. These are a great teaching tool; the musicians that play on these CDs are some of the top players in the Jazz world. (I will pop one of the CDs in my car player just to hear the musicians laying down a solid track that is always in the pocket.) In another life Jerry taught school as a Shop Instructor. After school he took the time to teach jazz improvising right in the shop room. As with those kids and the ones he is teaching today, they are very fortunate.

The day of the performance was about a week away. I was asked to sit in with kids along with Al, Todd, and Jerry. The plan was to have a couple of “ringers” to be sure the song got started and then get out of the way so the kids could do their thing. I stopped in at practice the day before the performance. The kids were very excited about playing. They all had chords (3rd‘s) they would be improvising written in pencil on their music. The songs Jerry had selected are as follows; “C jam Blues”, “Basically Blues”, “Watermelon Man” and “Blue Train”. I told him these were great selections…. Blue Train really. I watched seasoned players have a train wreck with Blue Train. He told me that’s why I was there. Throttle down this is Jerry after all.

The night of the performance I arrived at the school and was surprised at the number of people there. We began to set up. I pleased to see that Jordan, a drummer I played with in the NMC jazz band, was sitting in to help out the rhythm section. Bass lines were being laid down by Anthony Weber, an employee of the school. Keyboard duties were being more than handled by Steve Stargart- One the best players in Traverse City.

After announcements and introductions the first chart was called. C jam started with a lone trumpet and to that was added a second trumpet, saxophone, trombone, and a flute section. Every student took their turn improvising. We did a call and response with the audience. The song ended with that same lone trumpet. It was pretty effective. The rest of the performance went well. Even Blue Train went off without going “off the tracks”..

As the performance came to a close I wondered if the kids really understood what just happened. With musicians from many walks of life and varied musical experience all in one place creating music together, that is the true meaning of a “jam session”.

So You Want To Play In a Band Part 18

Let’s catch up. In December BlueShadow played at the Elk Rapids Town Hall, again playing the Patsy Cline tribute. This time was a little different- the band paid for the Hall up front, counting on the door receipts to cover our expenses. The weeks leading up to that night we were sure we were going to take a bath on this one. Joanie appeared on 2 local radio programs and Todd added a short blurb on the end of one of his radio adds. We printed more fliers hoping that we could get a better turn out. The night came, along with the threat of rain/snow. The Band went into set up mode and people started to arrive… turns out we had a great night (SRO). In order to shoot video that included Motown, we changed clothes and played a short Motown set as an added bonus.

First week of January there is 2 feet of snow on the ground and 10 degrees outside, so of course Jerry wants to talk about Jimmy Buffett tunes to help sell the BlueShadow Band this summer. You got to have a hook of some kind; “Sounds of Summer” is the name of that hook. Jerry assured me that he will come up with the charts. A week later he had “Volcano”, “Come Monday”, and “Its Five O’clock Somewhere”.

Going Forward

With a new promo pack and DVDs, Jerry and I met with HERTHA (Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association). They liked the “Sounds of Summer” idea. We were booked for 3 weekends. Encouraged, I visited The Patio (Holiday Inn). We talked about the theme and I set the “Sounds of Summer “ hook and reeled in 3 Saturday Gigs for the summer. I believe I may have left her with the idea that we have a steel drum. I’m sure Al can pull it off. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played lead steel drum in a past band. That’s just the way Al rolls.

I am still holding jam sessions now and again at Espresso Bay.

Well that’s all for now, with the Band is learning Jimmy Buffett tunes. I am being told that I will have to learn to play the Guiro. What’s a Guiro?!