To Gig or not to Gig! - Musical Genres
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by JohnnyConga » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:22 pm
Yes Onile I know "Brazitis" and have played with him and YerbaBuena here in Seattle. Though I haen't seen him in a long time...."JC" Johnny Conga..."working MY street corner"..... 
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JohnnyConga - Posts: 3825
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by onile » Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:08 pm
:D
I almost choked on my coffee brothelito! I know exactly what you're referrin' to....."work it brotha, work it!"
Yeah, ol' Brotha B, as I call him, I haven't heard from him in about two months either. I pray that all is well with him!
Espero que todo este bien contigo mi hermano!
Many blessings!
Onile!
I almost choked on my coffee brothelito! I know exactly what you're referrin' to....."work it brotha, work it!"
Yeah, ol' Brotha B, as I call him, I haven't heard from him in about two months either. I pray that all is well with him!
Espero que todo este bien contigo mi hermano!
Many blessings!
Onile!
Que Nsambi les acutare pa' siempre!
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onile - Posts: 1259
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by Raymond » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:53 pm
The gigging in the latin genre, including merengue and salsa, is currently bad in Puerto Rico. (Heard New York is bad too)! People are no longer demanding a big band to play, the kids are not dancing except regeatton, big activities are not happening anymore, and people are content, with two cats with a computer playing covers.... This includes recording for the big guys who record here in Puerto Rico that has gotten very rare these days.
Yes...you have your top bands who gig El Gran Combo, Sonora, Tito Rojas, etc, etc, that gig here and outside of Puerto Rico. However, you have a Puertorrican Power that does not play here and plays outside of Puerto Rico a lot. (Be aware only a few bands are allowed to travel outside of Puerto Rico with their full bands...specially those that are led by a "solo singer").
So what's left...the "top cats", people that actually live of music, are playing some of the few venues that you could play with a live band, normally a "selection of good musicians" with covers, some OK or second/third tier bands get some gigs here and there in the hotels and the few clubs that are playing salsa/merengue...
I do play an ocassional salsa gig but not as many. I am not a full time musician so I do not need to get in the "joseo" (or fighting or harrasing) to get gigs. My main source of gigs actually is provided with the "jibaro/tipico" genre here in Puerto Rico in which I get paid well and do not kill myself too much. (Even I get to record there..). I play with "El Gato" Feliciano's salsa band but we gig once every two months.... Also, I get to fill for some friends who are in a small salsa/calypso/latin jazz set up band that plays in hotels..I could be called to play the congas and sometimes the timbales...(I do this to maintain "contact" and "do favors" than for the money since here the money is not that good. The hassle to carry instruments through a hotel, that are very strict, is not worth the money). I help a Salsa christian band that gigs once in awhile and pays once in a while....
So guys in the US, be aware that things are as bad here in PR...I did the US, in the Orlando area, and there are people trying to play all over the place...although, some not worth it, but some not worth it, well connected with a band that gigs frequently... (I know the scene has changed since more bands are going there...However, they are doing the same as here in Puerto Rico...a solo singer will use a "set up" of local musicians, not their real bands, and is reserved to the few or those connected...You should here the complains of some PR singers and band leaders when they go to the US to try to play with a full or partial band of musicians based in the US..it could be a nightmare....)
Lots of people trying to set up cover bands, with a full set up of more than 10 musicians, to play the few places here that salsa is going on. Not that many have the quality or could get the gigs out there. Also, $$$$$, as I mentioned for a band is not feasible to many people out there...(If you do not get the gigs..musicians will go somewhere else and then you have problems getting musicans for the few gigs you get...Is that bad)...
I feel really bad when I talked to my friends actually dedicated to music full time and I have gigs and they don't...is sad what is happening...
So here is my full dollar in the gigging in Puerto Rico..
Saludos!
Yes...you have your top bands who gig El Gran Combo, Sonora, Tito Rojas, etc, etc, that gig here and outside of Puerto Rico. However, you have a Puertorrican Power that does not play here and plays outside of Puerto Rico a lot. (Be aware only a few bands are allowed to travel outside of Puerto Rico with their full bands...specially those that are led by a "solo singer").
So what's left...the "top cats", people that actually live of music, are playing some of the few venues that you could play with a live band, normally a "selection of good musicians" with covers, some OK or second/third tier bands get some gigs here and there in the hotels and the few clubs that are playing salsa/merengue...
I do play an ocassional salsa gig but not as many. I am not a full time musician so I do not need to get in the "joseo" (or fighting or harrasing) to get gigs. My main source of gigs actually is provided with the "jibaro/tipico" genre here in Puerto Rico in which I get paid well and do not kill myself too much. (Even I get to record there..). I play with "El Gato" Feliciano's salsa band but we gig once every two months.... Also, I get to fill for some friends who are in a small salsa/calypso/latin jazz set up band that plays in hotels..I could be called to play the congas and sometimes the timbales...(I do this to maintain "contact" and "do favors" than for the money since here the money is not that good. The hassle to carry instruments through a hotel, that are very strict, is not worth the money). I help a Salsa christian band that gigs once in awhile and pays once in a while....
So guys in the US, be aware that things are as bad here in PR...I did the US, in the Orlando area, and there are people trying to play all over the place...although, some not worth it, but some not worth it, well connected with a band that gigs frequently... (I know the scene has changed since more bands are going there...However, they are doing the same as here in Puerto Rico...a solo singer will use a "set up" of local musicians, not their real bands, and is reserved to the few or those connected...You should here the complains of some PR singers and band leaders when they go to the US to try to play with a full or partial band of musicians based in the US..it could be a nightmare....)
Lots of people trying to set up cover bands, with a full set up of more than 10 musicians, to play the few places here that salsa is going on. Not that many have the quality or could get the gigs out there. Also, $$$$$, as I mentioned for a band is not feasible to many people out there...(If you do not get the gigs..musicians will go somewhere else and then you have problems getting musicans for the few gigs you get...Is that bad)...
I feel really bad when I talked to my friends actually dedicated to music full time and I have gigs and they don't...is sad what is happening...
So here is my full dollar in the gigging in Puerto Rico..
Saludos!
- Raymond
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- Location: Puerto Rico
by onile » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:16 pm
Chacho! Si las cosas estan malas por dondequiera!:(
I think that Caballoballo said almost the same thing, that's pretty bad, especially where you would think more would be happening with the music....La Isla!
I guess that keeping our options open by not focussing on one special style (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata), but opeing up to the other styles and becoming good at them (Funk, Latin Pop etc.), although Raggetone (?sp), I believe is primarily done with sequencer mixes right? Yo no se!:D
Raymond, it sounds like you are doing a great job there on the island! I understand what you mean when you refer to the individuals who do music for a living and you get more gigs than they do. I am a social worker and play music as a side gig. There are times when I get called during the season, more times than those guys who have masters degrees in music (trumpet, saxophone, piano, etc. players) Que pena brotherlito! Que pena!
Espero que todo este bien contigo mi hermano y que sigues sonando el tambor!
Many blessings!
Onile!
I think that Caballoballo said almost the same thing, that's pretty bad, especially where you would think more would be happening with the music....La Isla!
I guess that keeping our options open by not focussing on one special style (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata), but opeing up to the other styles and becoming good at them (Funk, Latin Pop etc.), although Raggetone (?sp), I believe is primarily done with sequencer mixes right? Yo no se!:D
Raymond, it sounds like you are doing a great job there on the island! I understand what you mean when you refer to the individuals who do music for a living and you get more gigs than they do. I am a social worker and play music as a side gig. There are times when I get called during the season, more times than those guys who have masters degrees in music (trumpet, saxophone, piano, etc. players) Que pena brotherlito! Que pena!
Espero que todo este bien contigo mi hermano y que sigues sonando el tambor!
Many blessings!
Onile!
Que Nsambi les acutare pa' siempre!
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onile - Posts: 1259
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by Raymond » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:19 pm
Actually, those guys that need the gigging, because that is their living, do a lot more gigging and are better paid (most of times). However, it gets slow sometimes for them...
I do OK! At leat I gig once in awhile and I am not trying to get gigs from other people...It is hard and everybody is watching their backs and I do not like that kind of atmosphere!
Saludos!
I do OK! At leat I gig once in awhile and I am not trying to get gigs from other people...It is hard and everybody is watching their backs and I do not like that kind of atmosphere!
Saludos!
- Raymond
- Posts: 747
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 1:16 am
- Location: Puerto Rico
by caballoballo » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:20 pm
Vaya mi gente,
Like I said , you need to move from club to club looking for gigs. You can not have a big band of for example 15 mucisians because the small clubs don't pay much but you need to keep your group playing. A small Band has more chances to play,so $750 to $900 is good. The thing with Bands like PuertoRican Power is that they have the style of playing comparable to Colombian SalSa Bands which is what we the Dancer call too much brincos or the change from one rythm to another and that get the Dancer out of his swing . With Tito Rojas you never know if the tune he is playing is and introduction or the real thing, Victor Manuel better known to the dancers as LA CABRA Que Canta is another brinco to brinco Band, I don't care how famous he is, Dancers just don't like his style. Below is a List of Clubs around the Metropolitan area for the SalSa scene.
1- Jackalope (Carolina) 8-Shots (Isla Verde)
2-El Palo 11 (Puerto Nuevo) 9-The Oyster Bar (Isla Verde)
3-El Balcon Del Zumbador (Piñones) 10-El Criollo (Guaynabo)
4-La Fuente (Caguas)
5-El Doble 6 (Caguas)
6-Hotel Mariot Court Yard (Isla Verde)
7-The Pool Palace (Viejo SanJuan)
Like I said ,you need a small Band of guerrilleros and have somebody looking for the gigs. You can not use music as your source of income down here,it has to be your part time,in my guerrilla everybody has a full time profession and job so music which we love is our part time. You need to know your area and the Clubs around so you can get to play. Tomorrow I be visiting El Balcon del Zumbador to negociar a gig,next month we will play at El doble 6 and at la Fuente in Caguas and may be at the Jackalope I said may be beacuse they allow people to smoke and you get stunk as a street wet Dog and we hate that shit.
Like I said , you need to move from club to club looking for gigs. You can not have a big band of for example 15 mucisians because the small clubs don't pay much but you need to keep your group playing. A small Band has more chances to play,so $750 to $900 is good. The thing with Bands like PuertoRican Power is that they have the style of playing comparable to Colombian SalSa Bands which is what we the Dancer call too much brincos or the change from one rythm to another and that get the Dancer out of his swing . With Tito Rojas you never know if the tune he is playing is and introduction or the real thing, Victor Manuel better known to the dancers as LA CABRA Que Canta is another brinco to brinco Band, I don't care how famous he is, Dancers just don't like his style. Below is a List of Clubs around the Metropolitan area for the SalSa scene.
1- Jackalope (Carolina) 8-Shots (Isla Verde)
2-El Palo 11 (Puerto Nuevo) 9-The Oyster Bar (Isla Verde)
3-El Balcon Del Zumbador (Piñones) 10-El Criollo (Guaynabo)
4-La Fuente (Caguas)
5-El Doble 6 (Caguas)
6-Hotel Mariot Court Yard (Isla Verde)
7-The Pool Palace (Viejo SanJuan)
Like I said ,you need a small Band of guerrilleros and have somebody looking for the gigs. You can not use music as your source of income down here,it has to be your part time,in my guerrilla everybody has a full time profession and job so music which we love is our part time. You need to know your area and the Clubs around so you can get to play. Tomorrow I be visiting El Balcon del Zumbador to negociar a gig,next month we will play at El doble 6 and at la Fuente in Caguas and may be at the Jackalope I said may be beacuse they allow people to smoke and you get stunk as a street wet Dog and we hate that shit.
Josean
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caballoballo - Posts: 1043
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by onile » Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:24 am
Alafia Mis Hermanos!
You know I saw a bumper sticker once which said....."real musicians have day jobs!" I guess that was a commentary on the music market and being flexible!
You make an excellent point Caballoballo, if you want to gig with your own group, you must keep it compact in order to survive! Needless to say, the orchestra I work with only gigs like slightly over 12 or 13 times a year! I guess that's why we have to maintain our chops in order to fill the void in other groups (calypso, songo, bossa nova etc.)
Oye Mi Hermano Caballoballo! I had recently posted another topic on head treatment for congas. Would you take a look at it? I guess you are familiar with who Cachiro Thompson right? Anyway, let me know what you think and if you know what the process is.
Mil gracias hermano!
Many blessings!
Onile
You know I saw a bumper sticker once which said....."real musicians have day jobs!" I guess that was a commentary on the music market and being flexible!
You make an excellent point Caballoballo, if you want to gig with your own group, you must keep it compact in order to survive! Needless to say, the orchestra I work with only gigs like slightly over 12 or 13 times a year! I guess that's why we have to maintain our chops in order to fill the void in other groups (calypso, songo, bossa nova etc.)
Oye Mi Hermano Caballoballo! I had recently posted another topic on head treatment for congas. Would you take a look at it? I guess you are familiar with who Cachiro Thompson right? Anyway, let me know what you think and if you know what the process is.
Mil gracias hermano!
Many blessings!
Onile
Que Nsambi les acutare pa' siempre!
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onile - Posts: 1259
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by JohnnyConga » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:26 am
#### ..even I've had day jobs..lets' Mental Health Worker Administative Aide, Drug Counselor, ESol Teacher(Alternative school) I have NO Degree or Certified for any of these jobs,but I was hired just on my personal "street" experience...and a few down the line..my first day gig here in Seattle before I got to the point I didn't need it anymore was a "car lot attendant",so be ready to be versatile.versatility is "key"!..."JC" Johnny Conga....
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JohnnyConga - Posts: 3825
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by rumbero russo » Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:15 am
It's so sad to get know that everywhere in the world is the same situation. Now I see 
I disapointed so, I thought if I go somewhere it would be different...
I'm from St Pitersburg, Russia, here are many latin bands, but no gigs. They have not any music manegement at all
From time to time appear new salsa bands, with big names, arangements, many members, and great plans. So they play one gig in a jazz club, and when what do you think? Most of them become trios and quartets.
Awful practic! The hornplayers wich worked hard with the difficult programs get not job. I use to be one of them, played trumpet, now I have more gigs playing congadrums
Now I found my own band, I have a different tactic. I start from just a quartet as a rythmsection, inviting any soloist for any gig, or may be more then one, depends of money of course. I play tumbadoras, sing and sometimes use my trumpet. I have a program includes my favorite themes, good piano player, drummer and check few bassists. All I want is playing afrocuban music, having fun, and making some society of musicians being able to be in a groove. I call it descarga jaming.
Also I try to make percussion group to play rumba, its quite difficult, because most of playing percussionists is busy with rock, pop bands, touring all around country. For sure I have to play with pop bands, DJs to...
Anyway, I'm so optimistic! We have an idea to make an international latin percussion fest here. Have anyone an expiriance? Here was Charanga fest last spring, not so big, but here came one special guest conguero panamian from Munich, Germany, good player and nice guy
Wish everybody good drumming, fun and happiness!
I disapointed so, I thought if I go somewhere it would be different...I'm from St Pitersburg, Russia, here are many latin bands, but no gigs. They have not any music manegement at all
From time to time appear new salsa bands, with big names, arangements, many members, and great plans. So they play one gig in a jazz club, and when what do you think? Most of them become trios and quartets. Awful practic! The hornplayers wich worked hard with the difficult programs get not job. I use to be one of them, played trumpet, now I have more gigs playing congadrums Now I found my own band, I have a different tactic. I start from just a quartet as a rythmsection, inviting any soloist for any gig, or may be more then one, depends of money of course. I play tumbadoras, sing and sometimes use my trumpet. I have a program includes my favorite themes, good piano player, drummer and check few bassists. All I want is playing afrocuban music, having fun, and making some society of musicians being able to be in a groove. I call it descarga jaming.
Also I try to make percussion group to play rumba, its quite difficult, because most of playing percussionists is busy with rock, pop bands, touring all around country. For sure I have to play with pop bands, DJs to...
Anyway, I'm so optimistic! We have an idea to make an international latin percussion fest here. Have anyone an expiriance? Here was Charanga fest last spring, not so big, but here came one special guest conguero panamian from Munich, Germany, good player and nice guy
Wish everybody good drumming, fun and happiness!
- rumbero russo
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by ABAKUA » Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:50 am
It's so sad to get know that everywhere in the world is the same situation. Now I see I disapointed so, I thought if I go somewhere it would be different...
Im guessing you missed my post bro! Go back and have a read!!! 2nd post on the 2nd page of this same thread!
I have been busy gigging with latin bands amongst others for the last 15 yrs or so.
In fact, the last 4 have been my busiest ever.
This coming weekend, I have 1 gig Friday night at the Bacardi Latino Fiesta festival on the bay here in Sydney, Saturday afternoon I have another gig at the same festival, Saturday night I have another gig at a nightclub for the after party to the festival, Sunday night we are headlining at a club/bar here in Sydney which is an institution for live bands, jazz and funk, the club has seen the best from around the world perform there, from Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval, Cubanismo, AfroCuban All Stars, and countless fantastic international and local groups.
Sydney is very much 'alive' with gigs for quality bands, I find myself working a fair bit every week, in fact with 2 of my bands, we are pretty much booked well into next year.
And then there is the whole rock, pop, funk, RnB, and jazz scenes, those are alive and pumping also, lots of work to be had for good musicians and bands.
Edited By ABAKUA on 1127908356
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ABAKUA - Site Admin
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by rumbero russo » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:16 pm
Yes, I've missed it, bro! I have to read more positive massages
I'm very glad for you and so jealous... Hope you are not the only conguero in Sidney?
All the best!
I'm very glad for you and so jealous... Hope you are not the only conguero in Sidney?
All the best!
- rumbero russo
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:11 am
- Location: Russia
by yoni » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:43 pm
Hey Everybody!
Hoping all is well with you all. I admit I've also been a "gig-whore" at times.... maybe "giggolo" would be a more apt term. Have played plenty that were not 100% to my liking for various reasons. But now I'm lucky enough to be able to pick and choose. But I DO have a part time janitor job, only a couple hours a day, but hold it to help pay my child support when the gigs are slow. Luckily things have been busy for a while, but I know it may slow down some in the winter months. We got to be flexible, like JC wrote. But if a gig or other job really isn't enjoyable, I don't think it's worth doing for very long!
All the best,
Yoni
Hoping all is well with you all. I admit I've also been a "gig-whore" at times.... maybe "giggolo" would be a more apt term. Have played plenty that were not 100% to my liking for various reasons. But now I'm lucky enough to be able to pick and choose. But I DO have a part time janitor job, only a couple hours a day, but hold it to help pay my child support when the gigs are slow. Luckily things have been busy for a while, but I know it may slow down some in the winter months. We got to be flexible, like JC wrote. But if a gig or other job really isn't enjoyable, I don't think it's worth doing for very long!
All the best,
Yoni
- yoni
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by ABAKUA » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:15 pm
rumbero russo wrote:Yes, I've missed it, bro! I have to read more positive massages
I'm very glad for you and so jealous... Hope you are not the only conguero in Sidney?
All the best!
Far from it my brother, there are many congueros in Sydney, and a small handfull more than capable of mixing it up with the very best.
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ABAKUA - Site Admin
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by rumbero russo » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:56 pm
IT'S FUNNY! I just had phone to one guy, a maneger of one night club, to get a gig for my band in next month. That's what he told me; "Your music is good, but it's better for a summertime, the winter is coming soon" (so early in our city)
Does he think that people don't need the tropic warmth in wintertime? I think I have wait long 6 months, or try to play something from deep nord...
Does he think that people don't need the tropic warmth in wintertime? I think I have wait long 6 months, or try to play something from deep nord...
- rumbero russo
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by onile » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:29 pm
Alafia Abures!
Hermano Abakua, bro you got me wanting to move to Sidney jack!:D
Stay busy baby!
Rumbero Russo, it's always great to see you posting! You know, seasons change and I'm sure this includes tourism traffic, but if I may...... You should probably consider a strong marketing campaign for your group. Think of a theme for a particular season, cater to it, work with other vendors to organize an event. I know, this sounds like "pie in the sky" (dream stuff), but if you want to work, and the hotels are saying no, then look elsewhere! Be agressive, but not too agressive.
I am close to getting my Charanga group, "Charanga Melao" out once again, and this is in the middle of the AZ desert of all places. I'm gonna have to do like what brother Abakua's group did with the "Havana Nights" theme, work an angle to get the people inspired/interested in showing up for the show! Dancers, now that's a great idea also, getting some dancers to work with your group! "Eye Candy" ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Suave Hermano Rumbero Russo!
Onile
Edited By onile on 1127928739
Hermano Abakua, bro you got me wanting to move to Sidney jack!:D
Stay busy baby!
Rumbero Russo, it's always great to see you posting! You know, seasons change and I'm sure this includes tourism traffic, but if I may...... You should probably consider a strong marketing campaign for your group. Think of a theme for a particular season, cater to it, work with other vendors to organize an event. I know, this sounds like "pie in the sky" (dream stuff), but if you want to work, and the hotels are saying no, then look elsewhere! Be agressive, but not too agressive.
I am close to getting my Charanga group, "Charanga Melao" out once again, and this is in the middle of the AZ desert of all places. I'm gonna have to do like what brother Abakua's group did with the "Havana Nights" theme, work an angle to get the people inspired/interested in showing up for the show! Dancers, now that's a great idea also, getting some dancers to work with your group! "Eye Candy" ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Suave Hermano Rumbero Russo!
Onile
Edited By onile on 1127928739
Que Nsambi les acutare pa' siempre!
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onile - Posts: 1259
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