Well, I received a request for a gig a few days ago. The person who emailed me, said that she was needing a pianist for a reception for the new Peabodys dean. In her own words: The program will include a short featured performance by two current students and fairly brief remarks by Dean Bronstein about his plans for Peabody. Our hosts, Allan and Claire Jensen, would like to have someone perform standards, etc, during the cocktail period prior to the performance and then again afterwards during dinner . I said I was available and I gave her my rate etc. Ok, everything was looking good so far until I received this 2nd email: Hi Cesar: The fee its fine. Here is my question, given our host’s preferences, in his own words: “My friends (and I) are happiest with Gershwin, Sondheim, Lerner and Lowe,and those guys. And I cant stand improv!!” Well......Its good to clarify that those persons are hosting an event for the new dean of the Peabody Conservatory, which is considered one of the top-ten music schools in USA, and are Advisory Council members of that school. The head of the Jazz department at Peabody is the amazing saxophonist Gary Thomas, a genius of IMPROVISATION, and the rest of the faculty there are worldwide renowned JAZZ MUSICIANS, in other words: IMPROVISERS. My answer to that email was simple: Hi Andrea, If those persons cant stand improv Im not the right person for your event because Im a jazz musician and Improv is what a jazz musician do. They should show a little more respect about a music which is perhaps the most important american contribution to the music history. Im really sorry about it. Thanks anyway.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:01:33 +0000
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