Requests

Whenever I'm playing at a restaurant or bar or something like that the band always gets requests.

Now, I usually don't mind taking requests, they are usually followed by a nice tip. Especially if they are for standards that are well-loved by the requester. For instance, I was doing a restaurant gig last night with a piano player friend of mine and an elderly couple requested "Harlem Nocturne." Later they tell us they are there celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and had danced to "Harlem Nocturne" all those years ago. Sweet right?

Then later comes a dreaded request. There are two songs that I and most every other jazz musician hate, HATE to get, and of course we had a request for one of them. They are requested at probably 90% of the club dates I do and I hate them both. Its like the requester doesn't really care to hear the song, they just want to you to know that they know a little something about jazz. Well, it's not appreciated folks! So please for the love of all things sacred never EVER request "Take Five" or "Linus and Lucy" whenever you see a jazz group. Think of another jazz tune if you want to make a request. Or just sit back and enjoy what the guys are playing themselves.

We played "Take Five" and it was a drag. We didn't even get any applause afterwards meaning the people who requested it weren't even paying attention. That's the worst.

In other news I'm doing a rehearsal with a really good and popular big band tomorrow. I'm a little nervous so wish me luck.