Im often asked how I get most of my gigs. Well ,most of my work comes from concert and club owners that I have worked for before or have heard of me and wish to book a date. The rest of my work is about me calling and asking for a gig. Those that know me are very respectful and happy to talk with me but if they don't know me it can be a challenge and sometimes a bit degrading. For instance, last week I called a famous cub in New York hoping to book date. I have worked the room at least 20 times but the new young man booking the room did not remember me. That’s when I have to send them to my site or send a promo Pac and cd out to them and play phone tag for weeks on end.The Yin and Yang of Gigs . This fall I was out in CA. playing a GREAT Jazz festival called "The West Coast Jazz Party". (BTW they called me) It's a very hip premise.( Calling me !and the gig!) They hire all big names as solo acts and then form bands and play together. I sang with many big names it was a total gas! Terry Gibbs, Lew Matthews Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen Jeremy Pelt, Tamir Hendelman, Jay Leonhart, Clayton Cameron,Terry Gibbs Sextet featuring Ken Peplowski with Tom Ranier, Tony Monaco, Chuck Berghofer, Frank Capp, Chuck Redd. The list goes on. Butch Miles who played drums for the Count Basie band for years, was a big highlight for me. We really rocked the joint! It was the highlight of my year, big time! Plus I was the only Chic singer! After the gig, Ken Peplowski and his wife and I drove back to L.A. (Lovely People). We had a great talk about how difficult it is to go between being treated like royalty half the time and then having to beg for work somewhere else and schlepping equipment to gigs and being made to Pay 12 bucks for a glass of wine "No you dint just make money on me, did yu? It’s a real test of composure at times... Alas we do it because we love it. We live for the music and live to share it with you. Looking forwad to hearing from you. Nancy Kelly
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4 comments:
Is that really how you got gigs in Ca?
That's actually a very good question. Several years ago a man named John Gilbert (Johnny Jazz) found me by chance on the internet. He contacted me and brought me out to do some gigs north of L.A. Over the next few years, he helped me get some gigs in L.A. One thing led to another and years later after many more trips there, I am in with the “In” crowd and doing some wonderful gigs an meeting some wonderful people and getting to play with the best the west coast has to offer. My last cd “Born to Swing” opened many more doors as well. I seem to do very well out there. I am guessing it’s my New York Moxie they like. BTW if you ever get to fly on Continental Airlines and listen to their on board music, you’ll hear a song written for Gilbert aptly called “ Johnny Jazz”. If you look over my reviews you will see many were written by John. He’s knows his stuff and is one hell of a writer for sure..
LOVE you and your music...
Alive at the Pastures....
boat gig is definately a shhh kind of gig!
Will see you at the pastures again!
Thanks for taking the time to sell a cd out of the car!
GG
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