Re: Seeking Justice for Musicians in Jazz Clubs
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:59 pm
I may have misread what you meant Josiah. My apologies. At first I thought you were defending the article, but after re-reading your post and your follow-up I can see that wasnt necessarilly the case. Again, my apologies.
As far as the hobby thing, music is a hobby. We can wax poetic about how we need it to survive and all that, and I agree to a certain point. But just because you play, or even play well, doesnt mean anyone DESERVES to make a living playing music. There is a reason very many people have said over the years that it is a major major risk. Because it is. If you throw your hat into the ring and come up against adverse situations, it"s not really anybody's problem but your own. Not trying to be mean, just realistic. It's hard enough to survive with a legit job, much less one that is so subjective like music or art. It's entertainment for both sides. Those listening are entertained and the ones doing the entertainment are doing the thing they love to do the most. Being a musician is like opening a store or a restaurant, just because it's open for business doesn't guarantee that you will be successful. You have to LOVE the negative side of the business. it's easy to love the good stuff. We can talk about how it's sad that old jazz guys are poor and have no health benefits or pension and all that, but come on, they played with their instruments as their job. People who do back breaking work for years have no pension or health benefits as well. Musicians don't deserve anything that everybody else doesn't also deserve.
I really like DSOP's idea for live streaming as not only as chance for me to "see" a live show from the Baked Potato while in New Jersey, but as an extra revenue source for the musicians and club owners alike.
As far as the hobby thing, music is a hobby. We can wax poetic about how we need it to survive and all that, and I agree to a certain point. But just because you play, or even play well, doesnt mean anyone DESERVES to make a living playing music. There is a reason very many people have said over the years that it is a major major risk. Because it is. If you throw your hat into the ring and come up against adverse situations, it"s not really anybody's problem but your own. Not trying to be mean, just realistic. It's hard enough to survive with a legit job, much less one that is so subjective like music or art. It's entertainment for both sides. Those listening are entertained and the ones doing the entertainment are doing the thing they love to do the most. Being a musician is like opening a store or a restaurant, just because it's open for business doesn't guarantee that you will be successful. You have to LOVE the negative side of the business. it's easy to love the good stuff. We can talk about how it's sad that old jazz guys are poor and have no health benefits or pension and all that, but come on, they played with their instruments as their job. People who do back breaking work for years have no pension or health benefits as well. Musicians don't deserve anything that everybody else doesn't also deserve.
I really like DSOP's idea for live streaming as not only as chance for me to "see" a live show from the Baked Potato while in New Jersey, but as an extra revenue source for the musicians and club owners alike.