So how do you actually get a jazz gig?

This topic has 10 voices, contains 10 replies, and was last updated by Jeremy Gilbert 313 days ago.

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June 25, 2011 at 3:35 pm #6825
sixteenthnote	<p>I was just getting ready to email a local cafe but then I stopped and thought. "Should I email them or go to the cafe in person and inquire about getting the chance to play there?" But if I do email what do I say? How do I come off as not sounding like I’m begging to play there and should I send some jazz demos with the email as well? I’m just kinda confused about this. help! </p>
June 25, 2011 at 6:09 pm #7708
Andree-Ann	Hi! I’m sure everybody will have a good answer for this as well, but maybe I can share what has worked for me in the past. I start by emailing. I make myself a list of places like cafes and restaurants where I’d like to play and email them. I don’t beg or anything, just politely ask if they have bands or pianists playing at their establishment (if you know they have then dont ask, just say you’re interested in their venue – if you are not sure asking is always good). Mention your interest, briefly present yourself, send a few tracks and a resume. I’ve always had better luck if I sent my resume or tracks with the first inquiry, as it avoids the back and forth of asking for credentials, etc. When you apply for a job, you send your resume don’t you? Same for this, I think. If you don’t hear from them in a week or two and are very interested in playing at their venue, try and call the person you emailed to follow-up. If you know that the person actually works on site (if its a bar, the manager will most likely be there), maybe you can drop by? I did that once and got hired on the spot, was pretty sweet. I find that for myself, not overwhelming with emails and phone calls and showing up is a must. People are busy and nobody wants to deal with someone who emails and calls all the time. If no one answers you, they don’t want to have you there, or you didn’t send your email to the right person and you should try and locate the right contact. Most people will answer you even just to say no, so if you don’t get any answers try to email someone else working at the venue. Just my two cents – now let’s hear what the ‘real professionals’ have to say!! :)
June 25, 2011 at 9:11 pm #7709
Cameron Mizell	There are different ways to book yourself depending on the type of venue, but most places fit into one of two categories: 1) Music Venues – places where the live entertainment is the draw. For these types of places, bookers/management/talent buyers, whoever is most concerned about whether or not you’ll bring people into their establishment. Most music venues have a booking preference, hopefully noted on their website, but sometimes you just have to ask (or guess). Either show up in person with a CD, or email with links to your music, but DO NOT attach MP3s. TELL THEM YOUR ESTIMATED DRAW. They will ask anyway. How many people do you think will come to see you perform? It also helps to name some well known artists as a reference to your sound. But, if you can pack the place, they probably don’t care what you sound like. If you’re just starting out, it helps that they like your music to give you a chance. 2) Restaurants / Cafes / Lobbies – places where you provide background music for atmosphere. Here, it’s more about repertoire and professionalism. I used to book myself in a lot of solo jazz guitar gigs in these kinds of places to get more experience before I moved to NYC. I’d go there in person, between 2-5 when restaurant traffic is slow and the manager was in, and just talk to them. I’d explain what I played and they’d always give me a shot. If the first night went well, I could always get more gigs. The most important thing, always and forever, regardless of the venue, is that you be a kind, happy, friendly person. Treat everyone in the place with respect. Here’s an article that might help: http://www.musicianwages.com/musician-profile/what-i-learned-working-at-venues/
June 26, 2011 at 1:17 pm #7711
Joe Stone	Remember that there is no best way to contact all venues to try to get booked. Some bookers will prefer email, some phone calls, some you will have to go there in person. You have to be flexible and see what they respond to. Sometimes, they will seem to respond to one method and then suddenly stop. You’ll just have to find another way to follow up.
June 28, 2011 at 2:18 am #7713
Colin Graebert	Most of the jazz places I have played are small and I’ve often found that forming a relationship with the staff as a patron is a good step to getting your foot in the door as a performer.
June 28, 2011 at 3:57 am #7715
David J. Hahn	I have this article that might be useful in a roundabout kind of way: [url=http://www.musicianwages.com/the-working-musician/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-pianist/]How To Get a Job as a Pianist[/url] I used to work as a jazz pianist in Chicago a lot – and that article basically explains how I found work.
July 5, 2011 at 10:02 am #7727
Lisa Brown	I have to say I agree with all the above. There is no one way to get a gig but one thing for sure is that in the business world (and if you are working professionally, it is the business world) relationships count. Just about all the gigs I have had have been me walking into a venue with resume, demos etc and just asking for a quick word with the person who books music there. If that person is too busy, leave your resume and demo for them to collect and/or get the name of the person you need to talk to and their particulars such as email and phone number and contact them after a couple of days to find out if they received your demo etc. Chances are they probably haven’t listened or paid you any attention yet but it is still worth asking if it would be possible for you to come in to meet them. By this point you should be able to get a feel whether you have a chance or not. If they agree to meet you, it’s a very good sign. From there on, it’s really just about presenting yourself in a responsible and friendly way. Make sure you are confident and know exactly how you are going to charge and then be open to compromise if you need. [url=http://blog.music-made-easy.com]inspired music[/url] – Deepen Your Learning, Expand Your Music
July 8, 2011 at 5:13 pm #7729
Colin Graebert	I actually just had a related experience: I was traveling down the coast dropping off press kits to boutique wine shops and art gallerys and ended up at a local brewing company. The owner was very busy so I left my kit with him not expecting to hear back. Two weeks later he called me to play an event for him because the band he had booked had backed out of the gig. Not sure I would have heard him otherwise. I’ve picked up a couple gigs like that and they have almost always turned into a good relationship with repeat business.
July 12, 2011 at 10:09 am #7730
	Check wheather the jazz s very stiff, if it is so it ill be gud :)
July 13, 2011 at 2:27 am #7734
musiclive	Hmmm… that was way cool experience Colin Graebert.. glad that you had gotten the gig.
July 13, 2011 at 5:14 am #7740
Jeremy Gilbert	One of the best ways to start getting more calls for gigs is to support other musicians. Whether they are your friends or acquaintances or even if you’ve never met them before, supporting their music comes with many benefits. People tend to help people who help them. Decide ahead of time who you would like to perform with and potentially get called by. Once you have that list, follow their gigs and show up to support them. People tend to call people who they have recently seen. If you have already established a relationship with gigging musicians you can increase your own gigs rather quickly this way, just by being on the scene, being part of the hang.