First Jazz Gig

[Jazlikethat]

Hey I'm really stoked right now because I just locked in my first ever gig, playing jazz at a place called The Sun Dried Tomato in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I play bass and we have a trumpet (on this forum as theboardthatislong) and a guitar.

Anywho the owner/manager will be calling me tomorrow to sort things out and I know I'm going to have to negotiate prices. So can any of you who have some experience in the area give me some ideas of what I should ask??

Some background info:
>It's a pretty nice restaurant
>The pay a solo guitarist $150 a night to play (but he will be leaving soon, more leverage maybe?)
>We'll be playing for 2-3 hours
>To be honest, we're not that good but with jazz most people can't tell. The owner/staff seemed to like us during our audition. We were originally supposed to play for 10 minutes, but ended up doing 45.

I don't want to say the numbers I have in my head, so I can hear your unbiased opinions. Also, any tips on how to negotiate this stuff is welcome too.

Hit me!

[aaronaftershock]

Don't be in it for the money.
Be passionate about what you're playing, that's my only advice. I play bass in a jazz band too and the best thing about playing gigs is getting your name out.

Once your name is out into the "local scene" the gigs start pouring.

[Colton]

Is The Sun Dried Tomato in downtown San Juan next to the Old Mission? If it is, I might skate down and have a look see.

[Jazlikethat]

Is The Sun Dried Tomato in downtown San Juan next to the Old Mission? If it is, I might skate down and have a look see.

Hm yes, pretty close to the mission. It's right next to Ruby's if you're familiar with that. About a block away from Sarduccis which I know you know for sure.

Next Friday'll probably be our first day.

Don't be in it for the money.
Be passionate about what you're playing, that's my only advice. I play bass in a jazz band too and the best thing about playing gigs is getting your name out.

Ya that's my viewpoint, but the problem is I'm also negotiating on behalf of the other band members, so I need to do my best for them too. Plus the money we make is going right back into the music, like I need my own bass (using a hammie down atm) and Justin needs a new trumpet, which can be really expensive. Haha now that I think about it, the one he's using is only 80 bucks. If he got something that's the real deal we could rock that much harder.

[Colton]

Hm yes, pretty close to the mission. It's right next to Ruby's if you're familiar with that. About a block away from Sarduccis which I know you know for sure.

Next Friday'll probably be our first day.

Yeah I know where it is. We always skate that parking garage haha.

[Jhow]

Passion is a must, but the money never hurts.

they pay him 150 a night for how many hours to play?

we weren't very good, but we usually got 300-400 (w/o tips) for 4 people everytime we played a party. (1.5- 3hrs)

[Mooch]

Nice i might have to come check it out san juan is right by san clemente. Yeah just be reasonable with the guy about prices. He is letting you play at his store and plus you can get your name out too so its a win for you anyways. But anyways grats on the gig

[Jazlikethat]

Thanks for the help yell.

Just to put it out there, I was thinking 225 minimum - 300 + at the high end

continue with the knowledge, it's well appreciated

[Jemwielder]

Hey I'm really stoked right now because I just locked in my first ever gig, playing jazz at a place called The Sun Dried Tomato in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I play bass and we have a trumpet (on this forum as theboardthatislong) and a guitar.

Anywho the owner/manager will be calling me tomorrow to sort things out and I know I'm going to have to negotiate prices. So can any of you who have some experience in the area give me some ideas of what I should ask??

Some background info:
>It's a pretty nice restaurant
>The pay a solo guitarist $150 a night to play (but he will be leaving soon, more leverage maybe?)
>We'll be playing for 2-3 hours
>To be honest, we're not that good but with jazz most people can't tell. The owner/staff seemed to like us during our audition. We were originally supposed to play for 10 minutes, but ended up doing 45.

I don't want to say the numbers I have in my head, so I can hear your unbiased opinions. Also, any tips on how to negotiate this stuff is welcome too.

Hit me!

You could probably get a decent wage. Decide on a figure up front and maybe even figure out a contract if it's goin to be a steady thing, in case the show goes long. Or in the case that the crowd happens to be a little thin that won't effect your pay. As to people not knowing if you're not good at jazz, I assure you if someone who's good just so happens to hear you guys stumbling thru a standard tune that he and his trio have cold you'll be out of a job before you know it. If you're gonna be making money at this, you owe it to you and the rest of your trio to work hard as a band to really cook.

[pavedwave]

you're lucky with the trio bit. i usually played swing band or latin jazz so the bands were BIG, between 13--20 people. we made enough for gas and food and a little extra, they were paying between $600-$700 for us in the mid-80's. everyone in the band had a Day Job -- I think that was the most valuable reality lesson I learned...even when the gigs paid more and we actually walked home with $80 or more, we were all there because we loved it, more than to make money because we knew you couldn't count on it. anything resembling a wage was just icing for most.

awesome you got a gig. and Jem's right, get your chops in shape to keep it!

[lexx]

good luck. have fun!

[Guts]

good work!!

[Momona Boe]

$100 a man is usual

If it's your first time there, you can always tell him you'll do it on the cheap for the first gig to see how it works out and then go for full pay.

It kinda depends on whether he's expecting you to bring a crowd. If he thinks you're gonna pack the place because of your talent and throngs of fans and only a handful of people show up, he's not gonna be happy and he's not gonna hire you again.

Also, I'll list the obvious for ya':

Don't show up drunk/stoned or get that way at the gig.

Show up early

Set up quietly

Make sure your gear WORKS - club owners don't care if the PA "worked yesterday", they only know that it ain't workin' NOW!

Look somewhat respectable, especially for a jazz gig. Don't show up in your skate gear! Jeans are okay, but not ratty ones. Dress up a little, you'll get more respect.

Don't be too damn loud! Nothing irks people more than that.

Be nice to EVERYONE at the club! You'd be amazed at how you don't get another gig because you were a dick to the coat check girl.

And don't hit on anyone on the staff - they could be the manager's chick or the chef's gal.

Be classy!

[lexx]

every time you read a post by guts, I am watching

[Momona Boe]

every time you read a post by guts, I am watching

me too...................

[theboardthatislong]

lol thanks for the advice guys

[Guts]

every time you read a post by guts, I am watching

Showin' respect for my idols. Fatboy is the cooliest.

Lexx, you had to talk about my sig so I figured you felt left out.